N.Y. Election Law 8-106 – Polling places; attendance for educational purposes
§ 8-106. Polling places; attendance for educational purposes. 1. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, in order to facilitate education and participation in the electoral process, a number of students in grades eight to twelve, inclusive, not to exceed four at any one time in any polling place, may enter any polling place between twelve o'clock noon and three o'clock p.m. for the purpose of observing the activities taking place therein and, when allowed by the inspectors, for the purposes of subdivision two of this section, provided there is proper parental or teacher supervision present, and provided further, any such student who in any way interferes with the orderly process of voting shall not be allowed to remain in the polling place.
Terms Used In N.Y. Election Law 8-106
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
2. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, each board of elections may provide a spare voting machine inside any polling place or in a room adjacent to any polling place for the educational use of students in grades eight to twelve, inclusive. Each such board shall establish procedures for the use of the machine including, but not limited to, location and preparation of the machine and duties of the machine tenders. At least four weeks prior to an election, each board intending to provide a voting booth for the educational use of students shall notify each school district within its jurisdiction of the location of the spare voting machine. Upon such notice, but not later than two weeks prior to such election, each school district intending to utilize the spare voting machine made available for educational use as herein provided shall notify the board of such intention. Any ballot used in connection with such spare voting machine shall be in the form prescribed by section 7-118 of this chapter for facsimile or sample ballots.
3. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, in order to facilitate education and foster early participation in the electoral process, any persons younger than the age of sixteen on election day shall be permitted to accompany a duly qualified voting parent or guardian into the appropriate polling place and voting booth for the specific purpose of observing that parent or guardian vote, and for the general purpose of observing the electoral process. Any voting parent or guardian permitting a child to accompany them while voting shall provide appropriate supervision so as not to allow a child to interfere with the orderly process of voting.