On 2/12/2015, the New York City Council's Committee on Governmental Operations, then Chaired by Council Member, Ben Kallos (D-5th District, Manhattan), developed a Bill that would Require the Board of Elections to Provide a Website through which Voters can Track their Absentee Ballots in every Step of the Process. It Passed the Committee on 6/5/2016, Int 0659-2015 Version: A, was sent to the Mayor, but never completely Implemented.
The Bill would Require the New York City Board of Elections to provide a Secure Website and Mobile Application that would Allow Users to:
(1) Track the Status of their Absentee Application and Ballot.
(2) View their Registration Status.
(3) View the Party for which they are a Registered Member.
(4) View the Federal, State, and Local Election Districts in which they Reside.
(5) Know whether they are Required to Bring any Form of Identification to Vote.
(6) View which Elections held over the Previous Four Calendar Years for which they were Registered to Vote and whether they Voted.
(7) View the Address at which they were Previously Registered to Vote.
(8) Provide the Option to Receive Alerts, including when there is a Change in their Registration Status.
(9) Providing Access to Existing Resources including: (a) Registering to Vote, (b) Updating Registration Information, (c) Viewing Sample Ballots, (d) Polling Place Locations, (e) Voting Hours, (f) Signing-Up as a Poll Workers, and (g) Viewing the Voter Guide.
I would have added the Ability for a Voter to be warned if their Returned Absentee Ballot had an Error and given Time to Correct it.
By accessing the Website, Voters would know whether their Application for an Absentee Ballot has been Received, and whether it has been Approved. Then, it would be Possible to Check if an Absentee Ballot has been Mailed and Delivered. After Completing an Absentee Vote, would be able to Check if their Completed Ballot has made it back to the Board of Election and, finally, if it has been Counted.
At the time, Technology already Existed allowing the U.S. Postal Service to Track Absentee Ballots of Members of the Military and Citizens living Overseas.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
