Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-Newburgh) passed his first bill (A.7123) as the prime sponsor. The bill, which allows for more flexibility in accountability practices at polling places, provides that County Boards will no longer be required to have perforated ballots with numbered stubs, provided that alternative accountability measures are undertaken in accordance with the State Board of Elections rules.

Jacobson, Chair of the Election Day Operations subcommittee, said that this bill updates the Election Law and enables our County Boards of Elections to fully take advantage of the new technology for greater efficiency and costs savings.

This bill will result in considerable savings both in terms of money and time. The new on- demand printers, which will be used during early voting, enable the Board of Elections to print those ballots as necessary at the polling site and avoid the wasteful ordering of ballots.

Jacobson expects that most Boards will take advantage of the new law, especially during early voting, which will begin 10 days before Election Day, November 5th, this year.

The bill is awaiting action in the State Senate.

Jacobson represents the 104th District, which includes the cities of Newburgh, Beacon, and Poughkeepsie and the towns of Newburgh, Marlborough, and Lloyd.