What's happening
This bill requires New York City to provide voting materials and translators in French and Creole for eligible voters.
Why it matters
Expands language access for French and Creole speakers. By requiring voter materials and translators in these languages, the bill addresses the needs of two significant immigrant communities in New York City, helping to break down language barriers that can discourage or prevent participation in elections.
Targets neighborhoods with higher French and Creole populations. Translators are only mandated at polling sites in political subdivisions where more than 5% of voting-age citizens speak French or Creole and have limited English proficiency, meaning resources are focused where need is greatest.
Improves access to critical voting information. The law mandates not just ballots, but also voter registration forms, absentee ballot instructions, and frequently asked questions in French and Creole—potentially increasing informed participation and voter confidence.
Signals broader commitment to inclusive democracy. This act may serve as a model for further expanding language access to other underrepresented groups, reflecting a growing recognition of New York City’s linguistic diversity and the importance of equitable access to the voting process.
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Who cares
Headline styles
French, Creole Ballot Access
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to election law
- Referred to election law
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
625
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. PERRY, WEPRIN -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ARROYO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to providing voting materials and translators in French and Creole in the city of New York
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Haitian- American Informed Voter Act".
§ 2. The election law is amended by adding a new section 3-508 to read as follows:
§ 3-508. Boards of elections; voting materials in French and Creole. A board of elections in a city of over one million shall provide the same information in French and Creole that it provides in languages other than English on its website. It shall also produce and disseminate citywide a booklet that includes: (a) a voter registration form in English with instructions in French and Creole; (b) instructions regarding the criteria and application process for obtaining an absentee ballot; and (c) a section with general information including frequently asked questions. Such board may include other languages on its website and in such booklet.
§ 3. Section 8-104 of the election law is amended by adding a new subdivision 7 to read as follows:
7. In the city of New York, during days of primary, general and special elections, at each premises wherein a polling place or places are located in a political subdivision of the state where more than five percent of the citizens of voting age of such political subdivision speak the language of French and/or Creole and are limited-English proficient, at least one French-English language and/or Creole-English translator designated by such city shall be assigned for duty from the opening until the closing of the polls.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06323-01-7
A. 625 2
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, 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 is authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such 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.