New York election authorities must now submit standardized election records to the New York State Board of Elections under the Dr. John L. Flateau Voting and Elections Database and Academic Center of New York Act. The law aims to improve transparency while making election information easier to access. According to a report by JD Supra, the legislation took effect on April 1, 2026, and introduces new reporting deadlines for local election authorities across the state. As a result, researchers, policymakers, journalists, and candidates preparing for NYC elections will have broader access to standardized election data.
What Is the Flateau Act?
The Flateau Act, codified as New York Election Law § 3-112, creates a statewide system for collecting, preserving, and publishing election data.
Under the law, local election authorities must send election records to the New York State Board of Elections by:
- January 1 after election results are certified; or
- Within 10 business days after certification, whichever date comes later.
The law officially took effect on April 1, 2026.
What Information Must Local Governments Submit?
The Flateau Act requires local election authorities to submit records they already maintain. Those records may include:
- Election results by election district
- Voter registration lists
- Voter history files
- District maps and boundary documentation
- Early voting and Election Day polling locations
- Districting and redistricting plans
- Statistics on absentee ballots and affidavit ballots
- Public election data requested by the New York State Board of Elections
However, the law does not require local governments to create records they do not currently collect.
Voting and Elections Database Will Expand Public Access
The submitted records will become part of the Voting and Elections Database (VEDA).
The database is designed to improve transparency and support academic research, public analysis, and election administration.
At the same time, voter privacy remains protected. VEDA will not include:
- Personally identifiable voter information
- Individual voting records
Instead, the database will publish aggregated election information that allows users to study voting trends without revealing how individuals voted.
Additional Rules Are Coming
Although the Flateau Act is already in effect, the New York State Board of Elections must still adopt technical regulations.
The Board expects to release those regulations on or before September 28, 2026.
The upcoming rules will establish:
- Standardized reporting formats
- Electronic submission procedures
- Technical data requirements
- Uniform processing standards
Consequently, counties and municipalities will follow the same reporting standards throughout New York.
How Compliance Will Work
The law also establishes a compliance process.
If an election authority fails to submit required records, the Board will give that authority 10 days to:
- Submit the required information; or
- Explain why the records cannot be provided.
If officials fail to comply, enforcement actions may follow.
The law allows enforcement by:
- The New York State Attorney General
- Authorized private parties seeking compliance
Why This Matters for NYC Candidates
Reliable election data helps candidates make stronger campaign decisions.
With expanded reporting requirements, campaigns can better analyze:
- District-level turnout
- Historical voting patterns
- Early voting participation
- Redistricting changes
- Neighborhood voter engagement
As a result, candidates preparing for NYC elections can build more informed outreach strategies and improve campaign planning.
Learning how to interpret election data also complements broader knowledge of New York State legislative campaign strategy and NYC ballot access and election reform.
Educational Takeaways for First-Time Candidates
First-time candidates can use publicly available election data to strengthen nearly every stage of a campaign.
For example, campaign teams can:
- Review turnout trends across districts
- Identify neighborhoods with high voter participation
- Evaluate the effects of redistricting
- Study previous election results
- Improve voter targeting and field operations
Moreover, standardized election data increases transparency and helps voters better understand how elections are administered.
What Happens Next?
The New York State Board of Elections plans to finalize its reporting regulations by late September 2026.
After the Board adopts those standards, local governments will begin submitting election records under the Flateau Act. Over time, the statewide Voting and Elections Database will continue to grow as additional election data becomes publicly available.
Why It Matters
The Flateau Act marks an important step toward greater election transparency in New York. By creating consistent reporting standards, the law makes reliable election data easier to access while continuing to protect voter privacy.
For candidates considering NYC elections, better access to district-level data can improve campaign planning, strengthen voter targeting, and support smarter, evidence-based decisions throughout the
The Flateau Act requires local election authorities to submit standardized election data to the New York State Board of Elections for inclusion in a statewide public database.
No. The database provides aggregated election data for research and public transparency but does not include personally identifiable voter information or individual voting records.
