Authorizes citizens who are sixteen years of age to vote in school district elections; repealer
This bill lowers the voting age for school district elections from 18 to 16 years old. It directly affects 16- and 17-year-old residents in New York school districts who meet other voter qualifications. Key provisions amend multiple sections of the Education Law (including voting age requirements in Sections 2012, 2502, 2553, and 2603) to replace "eighteen" with "sixteen" and explicitly deem 16- and 17-year-olds as qualified voters. The bill also updates absentee ballot forms to reflect the new age requirement. It does not change voting eligibility for other elections or apply to non-school district voting.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 16, 2025
Last action Jan 7, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
A2256
→
A2256A
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to clarify that sixteen-year-olds are eligible to vote in school district elections, while simultaneously adding a restriction that individuals under eighteen cannot run for office on school boards. The text was also updated to use gender-neutral language throughout.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding voting eligibility for sixteen-year-olds remains consistent, but it now explicitly excludes minors from holding school board positions.
ELIGIBILITY
Changed the voting age threshold from eighteen to sixteen in the act title and explanatory text to reflect the bill's intent.
Added a new provision stating that no person under eighteen years of age is eligible to serve as a member of a board of education.
REQUIREMENT
Updated legal text to replace gendered pronouns (he/his) with gender-neutral terms (person/their) in voter registration and absentee voting forms.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Amendments
2
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO EDUCATION
lower
Feb 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 2256A
lower
Feb 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO EDUCATION
lower
Jan 16, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO EDUCATION
lower
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Amy Paulin
DDemocratic
Co
Chris Burdick
DDemocratic/Independence/Working Families
Co
Jo Anne Simon
DDemocratic
Co
Nily Rozic
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about A 2256
Scope: NY
Hi! I can help you understand A 2256. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline