Res. No. 1722 Title Resolution calling for the creation of a task force including Governor Pataki, the New York State Legislature, and the State and City Boards of Elections to coordinate efforts with the City of New York in reforming the State's outdated and inefficient elections system and laws. Body By Council Members Nelson, Carrion, Clarke, Malave-Dilan and Fiala; also Council Member Eisland, Fisher, Lasher, Reed, Rodriguez and Sabini Whereas, The massive events surrounding this year's Presidential Election in Florida has alerted the nation to the problems of an antiquated voting system; and Whereas, Here in the City, voters encountered a significant array of problems on Election Day, November 2000, when voting machine technicians were unable and ill-equipped to meet the demands of numerous voting machine break-downs, poll workers were inadequately trained, voter registration rolls were inaccurate and incomplete, incorrect absentee ballots were mailed out in certain districts, and the lines at the polling sites were impossibly long; and Whereas, With the City's term limits going into effect this year, an unprecedented number of elections for new candidates will be held in Election Year 2001, including elections for a new Mayor, Comptroller, Public Advocate, four new Borough Presidents, and 36 new City Council Members; and Whereas, The City has an urgent need to ascertain what action can be realistically taken now to ensure that the will of the City's Voters will be heard in 2001, and that no voter will be precluded or discouraged from casting a vote because of an inefficient and ill-equipped election system; and Whereas, A task force should be created to study the problems and solutions regarding the entire voting process, including voter registration, ballot design, and the casting and tabulation of votes; and Whereas, Such task force should not be a one-party, singular effort, but include representatives from all the major political parties and levels of New York State government; and Whereas, State Election Law is outdated and specifies voting machine and ballot requirements that are relevant for old mechanical technology, and is not adaptable to current electronic technology; and Whereas, The City Board of Elections be provided the necessary resources to implement these changes, and to upgrade its Web site so that it more efficiently conveys information on voter registration and poll sites; and Whereas, Initiatives be taken now so better procedures and more trained staff will be in place by the City's 2001 September primary elections; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls for the creation of a task force including Governor Pataki, the New York State Legislature, and the State and City Boards of Elections to coordinate efforts with the City of New York in Reforming the State's outdated and inefficient elections system and laws. LS 3790 |10
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