A03512 Summary: Modernized Voter Registration Act of New York

• Establishes automatic voter registration when eligible citizens interact with designated state agencies (DMV, SUNY/CUNY, housing authorities, unemployment insurance, corrections, military) if they consent, with registration completed within 5 days.

• Requires online voter registration and online updates to registration information available on county election websites, with electronic signatures accepted and same-day registration allowed at polling places.

• Mandates mandatory hand-counted manual audits of voter-verified paper ballots in all state and local elections, with audit scope (3-10% of districts) based on candidate margin of victory.

• Prohibits voter caging practices and unverified voter challenges; requires source agencies to transmit voter data securely; establishes strict privacy protections for citizenship and registration information.

• Appropriates $5 million for grants to study accessible paper ballot voting mechanisms for voters with disabilities and limited English proficiency; takes effect for 2026 elections and thereafter.