What's happening
This bill requires New York election boards to provide Haitian Creole voting materials on websites and in printed booklets.
Why it matters
Expands Voting Accessibility. By requiring voter materials in Haitian Creole, the bill addresses language barriers faced by a significant immigrant and first-generation population in New York, helping ensure that more eligible voters can access and understand election information and participate fully in the democratic process.
Reduces Confusion and Errors. Providing voter registration forms and absentee ballot instructions in Haitian Creole helps reduce misunderstandings, mistakes on forms, and missed deadlines, which can disproportionately affect communities with limited English proficiency.
Promotes Inclusion and Trust. Official recognition of Haitian Creole in election materials signals that New York values linguistic diversity and is responsive to the needs of Haitian New Yorkers, potentially increasing trust in government and voter turnout among this community.
Sets a Precedent for Other Languages. By explicitly allowing boards to include additional languages, the bill could pave the way for future expansion of multilingual election resources for other communities, promoting broader civic engagement and equitable access.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Haitian Creole Voting Materials
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to elections
- Referred to elections
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.
Haitian Creole Voting Materials
In Assembly Committee · Election Law · Sponsor Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5602
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
April 19, 2017
Introduced by Sen. CARLUCCI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Elections
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to requiring boards of elections to provide Haitian Creole language voting materials
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. Boards of elections; voting materials in Haitian Creole. Each board of elections shall provide the same information in Haitian 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 Haitian Creole; (b) instructions in Haitian Creole regarding the criteria and application process for obtaining an absentee ballot; and (c) 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.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07004-02-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the election law, in relation to requiring boards of elections to provide Haitian Creole language voting materials
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to provide voting materials in Haitian Creole
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 would authorize boards of election to provide voting materials in Haitian Creole. It shall also produce:
(a) A voter registration form in English with instructions in Haitian Creole
(b) Instructions in Haitian Creole regarding the criteria and application process for obtaining an absentee ballot
(c) A section with general voter information in Haitian Creole including frequently asked questions
Justification
The board of election currently does not provide voting materials in areas in which there is primarily a Haitian Creole speaking population. Providing voting material in Haitian Creole will allow those citizens to understand the voting process.
Prior legislative history
This is new legislation.
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.