What's happening
This bill requires New York boards of elections to provide Haitian Creole language voting materials and information both online and in print.
Why it matters
Expanding language access to Haitian Creole can help ensure that more New Yorkers, particularly Haitian immigrants and their families, fully understand their voting rights and procedures, reducing barriers to participation.
By requiring both online and printed materials (including voter registration forms, absentee ballot instructions, and general FAQs), the bill addresses digital divides and literacy gaps, making vital election information accessible for those who may not use English or the internet comfortably.
This law could improve election integrity and confidence among Haitian Creole speakers, as clear, accurate information in their native language can reduce confusion, errors, and potential disenfranchisement.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Boards of elections
They would have to provide Haitian Creole website information matching what they offer in other non-English languages and produce and distribute a voter-information booklet citywide.
Haitian Creole-speaking prospective voters
They would receive an English voter registration form with Haitian Creole instructions and general voting information in Haitian Creole.
Haitian Creole-speaking voters seeking absentee ballots
They would receive Haitian Creole instructions explaining eligibility criteria and the absentee ballot application process.
Headline styles
Haitian Creole Voting Materials
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
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.
Haitian Creole Voting Materials
In Senate Committee · Elections · Sponsor David Carlucci
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2304
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 22, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. BICHOTTE, SIMON, MOSLEY, BLAKE, COLTON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
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.
LBD00112-01-9
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.