ny-SBE-24-26-00025-A: Ballot drop boxes

I.D. No. SBE-24-26-00025-A Filing No. 875 Filing Date: 2026-09-15 Effective Date: 2026-09-30 PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE State Administrative Pro- cedureAct, NOTICE is hereby given of the following action: Action taken: Addition of Part 6225 to Title 9 NYCRR. Statutory authority: Election Law, sections 3-102(1), (17) and 8-416(3) Subject: Ballot drop boxes. Purpose: Provides procedures and requirements for ballot drop boxes. Substance of final rule: This proposed Part 6225 to 9 NYCRR establishes statewide guidelines for counties that choose to use ballot return drop boxes (excluding polling places and boards of elections offices). Drop box design / voter-facing requirements: D Outdoor unstaffed boxes must be durable, resistant to vandalism/ removal/weather, and include fire-mitigation features (referencing CISA best practices). D Slot must allow deposit but prevent removal/tampering; minimize liq- uid intrusion and prevent rain/snow entry if unsheltered. D Must be tamper-evident (seals permitted), clearly marked “Official Ballot Drop Box,” and include required multilingual signage (felony tam- pering warning; no postage; contact info for problems/full/damaged box; no ballots accepted after 9:00 p.m. Election Day; ballots-only; other New York State Board of Elections-required information). D Usability/accessibility specifications include low-force operation (8 5 lbs), no tight grasping/twisting, wheelchair reach range (15–48 inches) with limited exceptions, and high-contrast/non-glare signage. D Counties should use uniform designs within the county for unstaffed boxes (and separately for staffed boxes). Location decisions and deadlines: D County board of election (BOE) chooses locations considering population/geography, convenience, transit access, community sites, secu- rity, and funding. NYS Register/September 30, 2026 D Locations must be designated by March 15; locations shared with the State Board of Elections (SBOE). Accessibility of sites: D Drop-off locations must be accessible to voters with disabilities. D If multiple boxes at one site, at least one must be accessible and inac- cessible boxes must direct voters to the accessible one. D Encourages placement along accessible paths from nearby transit stops, parking (including van-accessible space), and passenger drop-off zones; indoor sites assessed like polling places. Security and surveillance: D Unstaffed outdoor boxes must be anchored and placed in well-lit ar- eas; indoor unstaffed boxes must be secured against removal. D Staffed boxes must be secured/inaccessible when not in use. D All drop boxes must have video surveillance (or internal camera) capable of capturing usable images; third-party systems allowed if access is arranged in writing prior to placement. D Existing boxes in use as of the 2025 general election may continue at the same location until December 31, 2028 despite the new requirements. Public notice, availability, and retrieval frequency: D BOE must provide SBOE