Senator Has Been Pushing Ballot Legibility Issue in Senate
(Queens, NY) — New York State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens) is applauding Governor Andrew Cuomo for proposing needed changes to election ballots that will make them easier to read – a proposal embodied in a bill (S.1928) that the senator has sponsored for several years
 A lifelong resident of Queens, Senator Joe Addabbo represents the 15th Senatorial District encompassing the communities – in whole or in part – of Broad Channel, Elmhurst, Forest Hills, Glendale, Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach, Kew Gardens, Kew Gardens Hills, Maspeth, Middle Village, Ozone Park, Rego Park, Richmond Hill, Ridgewood, South Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Woodside and most of the Rockaways. |
“I am pleased to learn that New York State may soon be taking steps to improve the election ballot, which has long been a priority of mine and a constant complaint from my constituents on Election Day,” said Addabbo, pointing out that difficulty in deciphering ballots was a common issue voiced during public hearings he held while Chair of the Senate Elections Committee in 2010.
Addabbo said he is pleased that Governor Cuomo is making this ballot matter a priority as part of a package of initiatives the governor is proposing to improve New York’s electoral process and combat public corruption.
“Acting to improve New York’s paper election ballots will greatly improve the overall democratic process, particularly for seniors and other voters with impaired eyesight,” Addabbo pointed out. “While the governor’s final proposal may differ from mine in some ways, I am very pleased that this necessary reform is finally receiving the serious attention it has long deserved.”
Addabbo’s legislation would require that a simple and easily readable bold-faced typeface, consisting of both capital and lower-case letters in a minimum12-point font size, be used for candidate names on paper ballots. The bill also requires that the New York State, New York City, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester County, and Erie County Boards of Election designate one full-time staff member to specialize in ensuring effective ballot design and usability. The ballot design specialist employed by the New York State Board of Elections would also be available to consult with the remaining county boards.
“For any variety of reasons, I believe it is imperative that the typeface be enlarged to help senior citizens and visually impaired voters read their ballots and cast their precious votes with confidence that their individual election wishes are being properly recorded,” Addabbo said.
The senator noted that the ballot design changes outlined in his legislation reflect the recommendations of a well regarded report by the United States Election Assistance Commission. “With the introduction of paper ballots in New York State in 2010, it became evident that ballot clarity was an issue for many voters across the state. In fact, voter dissatisfaction with the small type-size used on many ballots represented the single most common complaint following the 2010 general election,” he said. Current New York State election law only requires that candidate names be listed in bold capital letters, with no references to type-size or ballot design.
The ballot improvements outlined in Senator Addabbo’s legislation have also received positive reviews from the Brennan Center for Justice, one of New York’s leading good government advocacy groups. In its “Ballot Design Checklist,” presented as part of its 2008 Better Ballots Report, the Brennan Center included the Senator’s suggested changes as examples of effective design.
“Anything we can do to improve voter participation and ensure that our elections are fair and accountable is well worth the effort,” said Addabbo. “I am hopeful that the governor, Senate and Assembly will come to an agreement during the 2013 legislative session to make these needed reforms a reality.”
