What's happening
This bill requires New York City election boards to provide all voting materials, notices, and assistance in Russian, including a citywide booklet.
Why it matters
Expands language access for Russian speakers in NYC elections. By requiring all voter-facing materials, instructions, and assistance to be provided in Russian, the bill ensures that Russian-speaking residents can fully understand and participate in every step of the voting process—not just online, but at polling places and in official communications.
Mandates a comprehensive Russian-language voter booklet. The law requires a citywide booklet with a voter registration form (in English, but with Russian instructions), details on absentee ballots, and a Russian-language FAQ section. This centralizes key information, helping Russian speakers navigate registration, absentee voting, and general election questions.
Addresses barriers to participation for a significant community. By guaranteeing Russian-language access at every stage—from registration to casting a ballot—the legislation aims to close gaps in voter participation for Russian-speaking New Yorkers, supporting inclusivity and representation in city elections.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Provide Russian Voting Materials
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
12 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to election law
- Referred to election law
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3448
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 29, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. CYMBROWITZ, COLTON, HEVESI, MOSLEY, JOYNER, JEAN-PIERRE, GOTTFRIED, ARROYO, CAHILL, BLAKE, CRESPO, BICHOTTE, WALK- ER -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COOK, HYNDMAN, LAWRENCE, LENTOL, SIMON, WEPRIN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to voting materials in Russian
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 3-506 of the election law, as added by chapter 244 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows:
§ 3-506. Boards of elections; voting materials in Russian. A board of elections in a city of over one million shall provide [the same information in Russian that it provides in languages other than English on its website. It] all information that is provided by such a board of elections in English about the electoral process, including registration or voting notices, forms, instructions, assistance as well as information provided at the polling place, including voting systems, ballot marking devices and ballots in Russian to the extent needed to allow voters who speak Russian to participate effectively in the electoral process and all voting-connected activities. Such board of elections shall also provide the same information in Russian 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: (a) a voter registration form in English with instructions in Russian; (b) instructions in Russian regarding the criteria and application process for obtaining an absentee ballot; and (c) a section with general voter information in Russian 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 one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rules or regulations necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made on or before such date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05916-01-9
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.