What's happening
This bill requires New York elections to provide voting materials and assistance in Haitian Creole in areas with significant Haitian populations.
Why it matters
Expands language access for Haitian Creole speakers. , ensuring they receive all critical voting materials (registration forms, ballots, instructions, FAQs, etc.) in their native language, which can reduce confusion and errors at the polls for a significant immigrant population.
Mandates in-person language support. by requiring Haitian Creole-speaking interpreters at polling locations in counties where at least 5% of the population identifies as Haitian, directly addressing barriers faced by voters with limited English proficiency.
Improves civic participation and trust in the electoral process. for Haitian communities, who may have previously felt excluded or disenfranchised due to language barriers, potentially leading to higher voter turnout and more representative outcomes.
Sets a precedent for multilingual election practices. , which could encourage similar measures for other language groups in the future, highlighting New York’s commitment to equitable access to voting rights.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Voting Help in Haitian Creole
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Held for consideration in election law
- 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
7194
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
April 12, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. BICHOTTE, HOOPER -- 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. Each board of elections 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 purpose of assisting voters whose first language is Haitian Creole to participate in all aspects of the voting process.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10869-01-7
A. 7194 2
§ 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.