Provides that absentee ballots for all elections shall be made available in Braille, upon request of a blind or visually impaired voter

BILL NUMBER:S2848

Title of bill

An act to amend the election law and the education law, in relation to making absentee ballots available in Braille and large-print

Purpose or general idea of bill

To allow blind or visually impaired individuals access to absentee ballots printed in Braille and large-print.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 adds a new section 7-107 to the election law requiring that absentee ballots printed in Braille and large-print be made available upon the request of any registered voter who is blind or visually impaired and that persons wishing to receive such ballots must give notice to the board of elections no less than 30 days prior to each election day. This section also gives the state board of elections (SBOE) the task of promulgating rules for the preparation, distribution, casting and canvassing of such ballots; directs that such rules be developed in consultation with state disability advocacy groups; defines Braille and large-print for the purposes of this section; and provides proof reading standards for the ballots.

Section 2 adds a new section 2022-a to the education law that states absentee ballots printed in Braille and large-print shall be made available upon request of any registered voter who is blind or visually impaired. It further states that such ballots may be cast in parson on Election Day. Those wishing to receive such ballots must give notice no less than thirty days prior to each Election Day. The commissioner in consultation with the SBOE are to promulgate rules for the preparation, distribution, casting and canvass of these ballots; directs that such rules be developed in consultation with state disability advocacy groups; defines Braille and large-print for the purposes of this section; and provides proof reading standards for the ballots.

Section 3 adds a new section 2022-a to the election law to take effect when lever machines are no longer able to be used in elections pursuant to the education law and there will be no need for such Braille and large-print ballots for in person voting use.

Section 4 is the effective date.

Justification

This act will enable blind and visually impaired persons to request and receive Braille or large-print absentee ballots. While the adoption and implementation of technologically advanced ballot marking devices with optical scanners has marked a new milestone for accessibility of in-person voting for individuals with disabilities, currently, blind or visually impaired people must have someone assist them in filling out absentee ballots because such ballots are not produced in accessible formats. The present situation interferes with the rights of blind or visually impaired people to vote independently.

Legislative history

2014: S. 4135b - Amend and Recommit to Elections / A.8815-A Passed Assembly 2013: S.4135 - Referred to Elections.

Fiscal implications

There will be costs associated with the production of the Braille and large print ballots.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of December next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law; provided, however that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made on or before such effective date.