Governor Cuomo Signs Legislation Limiting Political Parties from Modifying Their Party Name or Emblem

Press Release

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (S.5974-A/A.2047-A) to prohibit new political parties from changing their name once submitted or established.

"New Yorkers have the right to know who and what exactly they're voting for when they go to the ballot box," Governor Cuomo said. "By making this simple change to our election laws, we can ensure political organizations don't pull the wool over voters' eyes by claiming to be something they are not in order to gain multi-year legal party status."

Senator David Carlucci said, "Voters should clearly know which party endorsed each candidate on the ballot. This law ensures voters are not misled, and is a step in the right direction towards creating more transparency in our elections. Thank you Governor Cuomo for continuing to prioritize improving our voting laws."

Assembly Member Sandy Galef said, "Voters deserve honesty and transparency in the election process. New Yorkers must not tolerate the 'bait and switch' that took place when the Common Core Party all of a sudden became the Reform Party. This new law would prevent this deception from happening again."

Once established, a political party obtains a permanent ballot line for the next four years. This bill amends the election law to prevent parties or other independent bodies or parties from changing their name or party emblem after they have been submitted and established. In the 2014 elections, the Stop Common Core ballot line received party status, and thus obtained a permanent ballot line for the next four years. Yet in January 2015, the party organization announced it was changing its name from "Stop Common Core" to the "Reform Party." This legislation, which takes effect immediately, makes such bait-and-switch tactics unlawful.

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