What's happening
This bill requires at least one poll worker who speaks a non-English language at polling sites where 15% of voters speak that language.
Why it matters
Improves election accessibility for non-English speakers. By requiring poll workers who speak prevalent non-English languages, the bill helps ensure that language barriers do not prevent eligible voters from fully participating in elections.
Targets districts based on up-to-date demographic data. The mandate is tied to the most recent U.S. Census data, meaning that resources will be allocated in response to actual community needs rather than assumptions or outdated information.
Provides direct translation assistance at the polls. Designated poll workers must actively provide translation services upon request, which can help voters understand ballots, procedures, and their rights, reducing confusion and potential disenfranchisement.
Affects both new and existing election districts. The requirements apply not just when districts are created or changed, but also retroactively to all current districts, ensuring broad and immediate impact across the state.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Poll Translators
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Enacting clause stricken
- Referred to election law
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
9642
IN ASSEMBLY
January 30, 2018
Introduced by M. of A. MAYER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to providing translators at certain polling place locations
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 4-100 of the election law is amended by adding a new subdivision 6 to read as follows:
6. a. In creating, consolidating, dividing or altering any election district, the board of elections shall determine the number of citizens of voting age in the district who speak a language other than English at home using the most recent United States Census data. If fifteen percent of the number of voting age citizens who speak a language other than English at home, the board of elections must provide for at least one poll worker that speaks such language at polling places in the district.
b. For any currently existing election district, the board of elections shall determine the number of citizens of voting age who speak a language other than English at home using the most recent United States Census data. If fifteen percent of the number of voting age citizens who speak a language other than English at home, the board of elections must provide for at least one poll worker that speaks such language at polling places in the district.
c. Upon voter request, the poll worker assigned to an election district pursuant to paragraphs a and b of this subdivision, shall provide translation services to the voter in the language that led to their assignment to a given election district.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13937-01-7
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.