Sec. 6211.1. Early voting site designations

(a) Deadline for early voting site designations.

By May 1st of each year, the Board of Elections shall designate early voting sites for the general election held in such year. Early voting sites for primaries and special elections shall be designated no later than 46 days before such an election.

(b) Minimum number of early voting sites.

(1) For a general election, the Board of Elections shall designate at least the number of early voting sites required by this Part, based on the number of registered voters in each county, including voters in active and inactive status as of February 21st, as follows:

(i) If the number of voters in the county is less than 99,999, the county must have at least one early voting site.

(ii) If the number of voters in the county is equal to or more than 100,000 and less than or equal to 149,999, the county must have at least two early voting sites.

(iii) If the number of voters in the county is equal to or more than 150,000 and less than or equal to 199,999, the county must have at least three early voting sites.

(iv) If the number of voters in the county is equal to or more than 200,000 and less than or equal to 249,999, the county must have at least four early voting sites.

(v) If the number of voters in the county is equal to or more than 250,000 and less than or equal to 299,999, the county must have at least five early voting sites.

(vi) If the number of voters in the county is equal to or more than 300,000 and less than or equal to 349,999, the county must have at least six early voting sites.

(vii) If the number of voters in the county is equal to or more than 350,000, the county must have at least seven early voting sites.

(2) For a primary election or special election, the minimum number of early voting sites shall be based on the number of voters eligible to participate in the election pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subdivision, unless the Board of Elections adopts a resolution determining that a lesser number of early voting sites is sufficient to meet the needs of early voters. Such resolution shall state the basis of such determination and shall specify how the Board of Elections will monitor voter wait times at early voting sites and ensure compliance with section 6210.19(d) of this Title throughout the period of early voting.

(3) The Board of Elections may designate more early voting sites than the minimum number required for the convenience of voters.

(4) All sites must be open for voting for the 60 hours required by Election Law section 8-600, but the Board of Elections may expand the hours the early voting sites are open beyond the statutory minimums.

(c) Standards for early voting site designation.

(1) Adequate and equitable access. Early voting sites shall be located so that voters in each county have adequate and equitable access to early voting, and such sites shall comply with the provisions of the Election Law related to poll sites and accessibility for voters with physical disabilities. A polling place accessibility survey shall be completed, filed and updated for each early voting site as required by Part 6206 of this Title.

(2) The Board of Elections shall consider, in totality, the following factors when designating early voting sites:

(i) population density;

(ii) travel time to the early voting location from the voter’s place of residence;

(iii) proximity of an early voting site to other early voting sites;

(iv) whether the early voting site is on or near public transportation routes;

(v) commuter traffic patterns;

(vi) any other factors the Board of Elections deems appropriate.