ALBANY, N.Y. – Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris announced the Senate passed his legislation (S.1833) requiring hand recounts of ballots when elections are decided by less than less than half of one percent margins.

“Now more than ever, voters need to have confidence in the accuracy of election results,” said Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris. “I am pleased the Senate passed this important legislation, which will improve our democratic institutions.”

Currently, there is no automatic trigger for hand recounts. Judges, as part of time-consuming and expensive court proceedings, rarely order hand recounts.