S2541

The New York State Senate passed S2541, an Election Law amendment sponsored by Sen. Myrie, on a 39-21 vote. The bill aims to provide ballot accountability through an unfunded mandate requiring the Board of Elections to post electronic ballot images within a week of elections. Before the vote, Sen. Walczyk proposed an amendment requiring the Board of Elections to enter the SAVE program—a federal verification system—to authenticate voter citizenship and prevent noncitizens from voting. Walczyk argued the amendment was germane to the elections bill and necessary to prevent illegal voting from countries including Belarus, Mexico, and Venezuela. Acting President Mayer ruled the amendment nongermane and out of order under Senate Rule 6, Section 4B. Walczyk appealed the ruling, but the appeal was defeated on a show of hands vote of 21-0, sustaining the presiding officer's determination. The bill then passed on the full roll call vote, with 21 senators voting in opposition, primarily Republicans including Lanza, Borrello, Ortt, and Walczyk.