Privacy Policy


Introduction

The New York State Board of Elections is committed to protecting your privacy when you access our website and the online services we provide.

Consistent with the provisions of the Internet Security and Privacy Act, the Freedom of Information Law, New York State Election Law and the Personal Privacy Protection Law, this policy explains the Board’s privacy practices regarding information collected from users of this website. This policy describes what information is collected and how that information is used.

For purposes of this policy, "personal information" means any information concerning a natural person which, because of name, number, symbol, mark, or other identifier, can be used to identify that natural person. The New York State Board of Elections does not collect any personal information about you through this website unless you provide that information voluntarily by sending an email, responding to a survey, or completing an online transaction or filing.

Information Collected Automatically When You Visit this Website

This website automatically collects and stores information each time it is accessed to enable the State Board of Elections to measure the total number of visitors, and certain non-personal statistical information on types of users, to the different sections of this site. This helps the Board make this website more accessible and useful to visitors.

Browsing

If you browse through this site reading, printing, or downloading information, no personal identifying information will be revealed about you. During a browsing visit, the following information will be collected:

  1. User IP address. The Internet Protocol (IP) address and domain name used, but not the email address of the user.
  2. The type of browser, its version, and the operating system on which that the browser is running.
  3. The web page you visited prior to coming to this website.
  4. The date and time you visited the site.
  5. The web page you visit as you leave this website.
  6. The web pages or services you accessed during your visit to this site.
  7. Status. The status code the server returned to the user.
  8. If you downloaded a form, the form that was downloaded.
  9. Method. The request method used.
  10. Universal Resource Identifier (URI). The location of a resource on the server.
  11. Query string of the URI. Anything after the question mark in a URI.
  12. Protocol. The transport protocol and the version used.

None of the foregoing information is deemed to constitute personal information.

The information that is collected automatically is used to improve this website's content and to help the New York State Board of Elections understand how users are interacting with the website, for statistical analysis, to determine what information is of most and least interest to our users, and to improve the utility of the material available on the website.

Cookies

To better serve you, we may use cookies to enhance or customize your visit to this website. Cookies are simple text files stored on your web browser to provide a means of distinguishing among users of this website. The use of cookies is a standard practice among Internet websites. They do not contain personal information and do not compromise your privacy or security.

We use two types of cookies:

  • Session cookies - These are created automatically on the device you use to access this website. We may use this cookie feature to store a randomly generated identifying tag on the device you use to access this website. A session cookie is erased during operation of your browser or when your browser is closed.
  • Persistent cookies - These are more permanent and can be re-read when you return to the site that placed them on your computer. The information in them is written onto your hard drive and remains there until the cookie expires. They allow the website to recognize you when you visit again and tailor the information presented to you based on your needs and interests.

The software and hardware you use to access the website allows you to refuse new cookies or delete existing cookies. Refusing or deleting these cookies may limit your ability to take advantage of some features of this website.

Information Collected When You E-mail this Website or Complete a Transaction

During your visit to this website you may complete a transaction such as a survey, registration, filing, or order form. The information, including personal information, volunteered by you in completing the transaction is used by the New York State Board of Elections to operate New York State Board of Elections programs and meet statutory requirements. The information collected by the New York State Board of Elections may also be disclosed by the New York State Board of Elections for those purposes that may be reasonably ascertained from the nature and terms of the transaction in which the information was submitted.

The New York State Board of Elections does not knowingly collect personal information from children or create profiles of children through this website. Users are cautioned, however, that the collection of personal information submitted in an e-mail will be treated as though it was submitted by an adult, and may, unless exempted from access by federal or state law, be subject to public access. The agency strongly encourages parents and teachers to be involved in children's Internet activities and to provide guidance whenever children are asked to provide personal information on-line.

Information and Choice

As noted above, the New York State Board of Elections does not collect any personal information about you unless you provide that information voluntarily by sending an e-mail, responding to a survey, or completing an online form. You may choose not to send us an e-mail, respond to a survey, or complete an online form. While your choice not to participate in these activities may limit your ability to receive specific services or products through this website, it will not normally have an impact on your ability to take advantage of other features of the website, including browsing or downloading information.

Disclosure of Information Collected Through This Website

The collection of information through this website and the disclosure of that information are subject to the provisions of the Internet Security and Privacy Act. Except as provided below or as otherwise authorized by law, the New York State Board of Elections will only collect personal information through this website or disclose personal information collected through this website if the user has consented to the collection or disclosure of such personal information. The voluntary disclosure of personal information to the New York State Board of Elections by the user, whether solicited or unsolicited, constitutes consent to the collection and disclosure of the information by the New York State Board of Elections for the purposes for which the user disclosed the information to the New York State Board of Elections, as was reasonably ascertainable from the nature and terms of the disclosure.

However, the New York State Board of Elections may collect or disclose personal information without consent if the collection or disclosure is: (1) necessary to perform the statutory duties of the New York State Board of Elections, or necessary for the New York State Board of Elections to operate a program authorized by law, or authorized by state or federal statute or regulation; (2) made pursuant to a court order or by law; (3) for the purpose of validating the identity of the user; or (4) of information to be used solely for statistical purposes that is in a form that cannot be used to identify any particular person.

Further, the disclosure of information, including personal information, collected through this website is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Law, New York State Election Law and the Personal Privacy Protection Law.

The New York State Board of Elections may also disclose personal information to federal or state law enforcement authorities to enforce its rights against unauthorized access or attempted unauthorized access to the New York State Board of Elections' information technology assets.

Confidentiality and Integrity of Personal Information Collected Through this Website

The New York State Board of Elections is strongly committed to protecting personal information collected through this website against unauthorized access, use or disclosure. Consequently, the New York State Board of Elections limits employee access to personal information collected through this website to only those employees who need access to the information in the performance of their official duties. Employees who have access to this information follow appropriate procedures in connection with any disclosures of personal information.

In addition, the New York State Board of Elections has implemented procedures to safeguard the integrity of its information technology assets, including, but not limited to, authentication, monitoring, auditing, and encryption. These security procedures have been integrated into the design, implementation, and day-to-day operations of agency websites as part of our continuing commitment to the security of electronic content as well as the electronic transmission of information.

For website security purposes and to maintain the availability of the website for all users, the agency employs software to monitor traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information or otherwise damage this website.

General Disclaimer

The information provided in this privacy policy should not be construed as giving business, legal, or other advice, or warranting as fail proof, the security of information provided through this website.

Links Disclaimer

In order to provide users with certain information, this website may provide links to local, state and federal government agencies, and websites of other organizations. A link does not constitute an endorsement of the content, viewpoint, accuracy, opinions, policies, products, services, or accessibility of that website. Once you link to another website from this website, including one maintained by the State, you are subject to the terms and conditions of that website, including but not limited to its privacy policy.

Information Disclaimer

Information provided on this website is intended to allow the public immediate access to public information. While all attempts are made to provide accurate, current, and reliable information, the New York State Board of Elections recognizes the possibility of human and/or mechanical error. Therefore, the New York State Board of Elections, its employees, officers and agents make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, currency, or suitability of the information provided by this website, and deny any expressed or implied warranty as to the same.

Contact Information

For questions regarding this Internet privacy policy, please contact: info@elections.ny.gov

New York State Board of Elections
40 North Pearl Street, Suite 5
Albany, NY 12207-2729