New York Election Law Section 17-122 - Misconduct in relation to petitions.

17-122. Misconduct in relation to petitions. Any person who:

1. Pays, lends, contributes or promises to pay, lend or contribute any money or other valuable consideration to or for any voter, or to or for any other person, to induce such voter to sign a petition for the designation of a candidate for party nomination or for election to a party position to be voted for at a primary election, or to induce such voter to sign a petition for opportunity to ballot at a primary election or to induce such voter to sign an independent nominating petition for public office; or

2. Gives, offers or promises any office, place or employment, or promises to procure or endeavor to procure any office, place or employment to or for any voter, or to or for any other person, in order to induce such voter to sign a petition for the designation of a candidate for party nomination or for election to a party position to be voted for at a primary election, or to induce such voter to sign a petition for opportunity to ballot at a primary election or to induce such voter to sign an independent nominating petition for public office; or

3. Receives, agrees or contracts for any money, gift, loan or other valuable consideration, office, place or employment for himself or any other person, for signing a petition for the designation of a candidate for party nomination or for election to a party position to be voted for at a primary election, or for signing a petition for opportunity to ballot at a primary election or for signing an independent nominating petition for public office; or

4. Pays or agrees to pay money or other valuable consideration, to any person for his services in canvassing for or otherwise procuring the signatures of voters to a petition for the designation of a candidate or candidates for party nomination or for election to a party position to be voted for at a primary election, or to a petition for opportunity to ballot at a primary election, or to an independent nominating petition for public office, upon the basis of the number of names to such petition procured by such person, or at a fixed amount per name; or,

5. Represents to any person as an inducement for signing a petition for the designation of a candidate for party nomination or for election to a party position to be voted for at a primary election, or for signing a petition for opportunity to ballot at a primary election, or for signing an independent nominating petition for public office, that the person soliciting such signature is to be compensated upon the basis of the number of names procured by such a person, or at a fixed amount per name; or

6. Being a signer of a petition, provided for in the election law, for the designation or nomination of a candidate, or a petition for opportunity to ballot at a primary election, thereby makes a false statement or makes a false affidavit thereon, or a false statement to the witness who authenticates the petition; or

7. Being a notary public, commissioner of deeds or a subscribing witness to a petition, provided for in this chapter, for the designation or nomination of a candidate, or a petition for opportunity to ballot at a primary election, thereby makes a false statement or makes a false affidavit thereon; or

8. Alters a petition, provided for in the election law, for the designation or nomination of a candidate, or a petition for opportunity to ballot at a primary election, by inserting, adding or changing therein the name of a candidate, or the title or designation of an office or position by any means whatsoever, after such petition has been signed by one or more persons, is guilty of a misdemeanor.


Last modified: February 3, 2019