Assembly Member Kellner Introduces Important Election Recount Legislation
Although a winner was officially declared in an upstate Senate race last week, we still do not really know who won - because not all of the ballots were counted.
Right now, in New York State, each local board of elections has the ability to set its own recount standards. This inconsistency has led to uncounted votes (like the 250 uncounted ballots in last week's Senate race).
This has to stop.
I recently introduced legislation to finally set a statewide standard for when an automatic hand recount would apply in an election that's too close to call. In its January 20th editorial, The Daily News called my bill "the way to go". In New York City, a hand recount is required if the margin of victory is less than one-half of 1%. My bill takes it a step further: if a candidate for statewide office wins with an initial margin of victory less than one-fourth of 1% (or less than 10 votes), an automatic hand recount must take place. In local races, the margin has to be less than one-half of 1% (or less 10 votes).
Currently New York State recounts only 3% of all votes randomly. Election experts agree that one way to improve our rating is to enact legislation like mine.
I look forward to passing this legislation and having it signed into law so that every single vote in New York is counted fairly and accurately.