A 1241 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to furnishing money or entertainment to induce attendance at polls; repealer

This bill repeals New York's election law (Section 17-140) that previously criminalized offering small-value items - like free coffee, pens, or snacks - to encourage people to vote at polling places. It directly affects voters and election organizers by removing criminal penalties for providing these nominal incentives. The key change is eliminating the legal prohibition on such low-cost, non-monetary enticements to boost voter turnout. The bill was signed into law on June 21, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Assembly Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Jan 9, 2025 Signed Jun 21, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

A1241 → A1241A · 3 edits
MINOR
This bill repeals Section 17-140 of the New York Election Law, which previously made it a Class A misdemeanor to provide food, drink, or other refreshments to voters at polling places. By removing this prohibition, the law now allows candidates, parties, and their representatives to offer snacks, water, and soft drinks to voters without fear of criminal penalties.
Scope change
The bill's scope changed from prohibiting the furnishing of refreshments to voters to allowing such provisions without restriction.
ENFORCEMENT

The criminal penalty (Class A misdemeanor) for giving food, drink, tobacco, or refreshments to voters at polling places was eliminated.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement that such provisions be given without identification of the supplying entity was removed, as the entire provision was repealed.

DEFINITION

The specific list of prohibited items (meat, drink, tobacco, refreshment, or provision) and the exemption for official election representatives and party workers were removed.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 9, 2025 · Assembly May 15, 2025

How they voted

44–18
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 63
Jun 9, 2025
D Democratic41
41 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican22
3 Yea 18 Nay 1
81% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
5
Committee
2
Amendments
2
Jun 21, 2025
Signed into law
SIGNED CHAP.156
lower
Jun 9, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
May 15, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO ELECTIONS
upper
May 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
PASSED ASSEMBLY
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 1241A
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO ELECTION LAW
lower
Jan 9, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO ELECTION LAW
lower
1 primary · 19 co-sponsors

Sponsors