What's happening
This bill requires New York City to provide voting materials and assistance in Haitian Creole, including interpreters at certain polling locations.
Why it matters
Expands voter accessibility. for Haitian Creole speakers by ensuring they have equal access to critical voting materials, instructions, and forms in their primary language, helping remove barriers to participation in the democratic process.
Mandates in-person language support. by requiring Haitian Creole-speaking interpreters at polling sites in counties with significant Haitian populations, which can help reduce confusion and errors for voters who are not fluent in English.
Recognizes changing demographics. and the growing Haitian community in New York City, signaling government acknowledgment and inclusion of linguistic minorities in civic life.
Sets a precedent for other language groups. By specifying requirements for Haitian Creole, the legislation could encourage or provide a template for extending similar accommodations to other underrepresented linguistic communities in the future.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Haitian Creole Voting Materials
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
11 Co-sponsors
3 Multi-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.
Voting Help in Haitian Creole
In Senate Committee · Elections · Sponsor Kevin S. Parker
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2711
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 25, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. BICHOTTE, MOSLEY, WALKER, HYNDMAN, L. ROSENTHAL, SOLAGES, JAFFEE, BLAKE, GOTTFRIED, JEAN-PIERRE, JOYNER -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ENGLEBRIGHT, RAMOS, SIMON -- 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. A board of elections in a city of over one million 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
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00116-01-9
A. 2711 2
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.
§ 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.