What's happening
This bill requires New York election boards to provide voting materials and assistance in Haitian Creole in certain counties.
Why it matters
Improves voting accessibility for Haitian Creole speakers. by mandating that all election-related materials (registration forms, ballots, instructions) and website content are provided in Haitian Creole in qualifying counties, reducing language barriers that can prevent effective participation.
Requires Haitian Creole-speaking interpreters at polling places. in counties where at least 5% of the population identifies as Haitian, ensuring in-person language assistance for voters who may struggle with English or written materials.
Mandates the distribution of a comprehensive booklet. including voter registration instructions, absentee ballot information, and general voting FAQs in Haitian Creole, supporting informed participation and making it easier for new voters or those unfamiliar with the process to understand their rights and options.
Targets resources based on local demographics. by tying requirements to census data, meaning the law focuses support where it is most needed and can adapt to shifts in the Haitian population over time.
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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
- 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
2311
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 22, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. BICHOTTE, PEOPLES-STOKES, DICKENS, SIMON, JEAN-PIERRE, ORTIZ, CRESPO, BLAKE -- 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
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00113-01-9
A. 2311 2
purpose of assisting voters whose first language is Haitian Creole to participate in all aspects of the voting process.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made on or before such 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.