What's happening
This bill requires voting materials and assistance in Haitian Creole in New York City and certain counties with significant Haitian populations.
Why it matters
Addresses language barriers for Haitian Creole speakers. , helping ensure equal access to voting information, ballots, and instructions, which can increase voter participation and reduce confusion or disenfranchisement in affected communities.
Requires in-person Haitian Creole interpreters at polling places. in counties with significant Haitian populations, directly aiding voters who may otherwise struggle to navigate the voting process due to limited English proficiency.
Mandates the production and distribution of multilingual voter materials. , including a booklet with registration forms and FAQs in Haitian Creole, which can empower more residents to participate in elections independently and confidently.
Sets a precedent for broader language access in elections. , potentially paving the way for similar accommodations for other linguistic minorities and enhancing the overall inclusiveness of the electoral process in New York.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Haitian Creole Voting Support
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
12 Co-sponsors
3 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to election law
- Referred to election law
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Provide Haitian Creole Voting Help
In Senate Committee · Elections · Sponsor Kevin S. Parker
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
312
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 5, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. BICHOTTE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to providing voting materials and assistance in Haitian Creole
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The election law is amended by adding a new section 3-507 to read as follows:
§ 3-507. Board of elections; voting materials and assistance in Haitian Creole. A board of elections in a city of over one million shall:
(a) Provide all information that is provided by such a board of elections in English about the electoral process, including registration or voting notices, forms, instructions, voting systems, ballot marking devices and ballots in Haitian Creole to the extent needed to allow voters who speak Haitian Creole to participate effectively in the electoral process and all voting-connected activities. Such board of elections shall also provide the same information in Haitian Creole that it provides in languages other than English on its website. Such board of elections shall also produce and disseminate citywide a booklet that includes: (1) a voter registration form in English with instructions in Haitian Creole; (2) instructions in Haitian Creole regarding the criteria and application process for obtaining an absentee ballot; and (3) a section with general voter information in Haitian Creole including frequently asked questions. Such board may include other languages on its website and in such booklet.
(b) Provide one or more Haitian Creole-speaking interpreters at each polling location in election districts in any county that has a population comprised of five percent or more of people who identify as being Haitian according to the most recent United States census, for the
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01300-01-7
A. 312 2
purpose of assisting voters whose first language is Haitian Creole to participate in all aspects of the voting process.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the commissioners of the New York state board of elections shall promulgate all rules and regulations and take all actions necessary to implement the provisions of this act on or before its effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.