There is an important update to the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) which will impact member libraries that hold elections. The Help America Vote Act (HAVA), signed into federal law in 2002, required states to transition to more accessible balloting, namely, optical voting machines, by 2006. Several extensions were passed over the years to provide a cushion for this transition. However, as of January 1, 2016, libraries which continued to enjoy an exemption from the requirements of HAVA and ERMA must now come into compliance with the provisions of these acts. Libraries which previously used lever voting machines in the conduct of elections must now move to optical scan balloting, or, in the alternative, use paper balloting methods compliant with existing law.
Any library in New York State which has not previously transitioned to conducting their elections through optical scan voting technology must do so for any election held after January 1, 2016, or use paper balloting that is compliant with statutory requirements. Due to the cost-prohibitive nature of purchasing and maintaining this technology, we (The New York Library Association) recommend coming to an independent agreement with your local county Board of Elections where necessary, or working with your local school district where applicable.