WHEREAS, it is a fundamental principle of our democracy that every citizen's right to vote must be respected, and every vote must be counted equally and accurately;
WHEREAS, the presidential election of November 2000 and its aftermath exposed vulnerabilities in the methods that states use to elect public officials;
WHEREAS, new technologies are available to improve the process by which votes are cast and tabulated and elections are administered; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary and appropriate to examine the methods by which elections are conducted and administered in New York State for the purpose of improving and modernizing our electoral system so that every New Yorker's right to vote is honored, respected and upheld;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE E. PATAKI, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of New York, do hereby establish the New York State Task Force on Election Modernization (Task Force).
I. Membership The Task Force shall consist of seven members appointed by the Governor, two of whom shall be appointed on the recommendation of the Temporary President of the State Senate and another two of whom shall be appointed on the recommendation of the Speaker of the State Assembly. The members of the Task Force shall receive no compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for any necessary expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties.
II. Responsibilities and Powers A. The Task Force shall examine current and alternative methods for conducting and administering elections in New York State, including: (1) Current and alternative methods of casting and tabulating votes;(2) Current and alternative methods of making the polls accessible to all voters, including senior citizens, members of the military and persons with disabilities;(3) Current and alternative methods of registering voters and maintaining and verifying voter registration records;(4) Current and alternative methods of identifying voters at the polls;(5) Current and alternative methods of casting votes by absentee and overseas ballot;(6) Current and alternative methods of ensuring the security and integrity of elections; and(7) Current and alternative methods of recruiting, training and compensating election officials.B. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Task Force shall: (1) Solicit the advice of organizations representing election officials, local governments, racial and ethnic minorities, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, bar associations and other organizations with a demonstrated interest in election modernization; and(2) Participate, where appropriate, in election modernization studies conducted by the Federal government and use the results of such studies in formulating its recommendations for New York State.C. The Task Force shall issue an interim report to the Governor no later than May 15, 2001 with recommendations on electoral improvements that can be implemented prior to the November 2001 general election. The Task Force shall issue a final report, on or before April 15, 2002, with recommendations on the steps that New York State should take to modernize and improve its electoral system.D. The Task Force is authorized to: (1) Conduct hearings in furtherance of the performance of its duties under this Order; and(2) Call upon any agency, department, office, division, or public authority of this State to supply it with such data and other resources, personnel and assistance as the Task Force deems necessary to discharge the responsibilities conferred upon it by this Order.E. Each agency, department, office, division, and public authority of this State, including the State Board of Elections, is hereby directed to cooperate with the Task Force and to furnish the Task Force with such information, personnel, and assistance as the Task Force deems necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Order. Signed: George E. PatakiDated: February 16, 2001
[FN*] [Revoked by Executive Order No. 5 (Eliot Spitzer), infra.]
[Revoked by Executive Order No. 9 (David A. Paterson), infra.]
[Revoked by Executive Order No. 2 (Andrew M. Cuomo), infra.]
N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 9 § 5.108