What's happening
This bill requires absentee ballots to be available in Braille and large-print for blind or visually impaired voters upon request.
Why it matters
Improves voter autonomy and privacy. for blind or visually impaired individuals by enabling them to mark and review absentee ballots independently, rather than relying on assistance that could compromise ballot secrecy.
Mandates collaboration with disability advocacy organizations. in developing ballot formats and proofreading standards, ensuring that the ballots are accessible, accurate, and meet the real needs of the intended users.
Sets clear standards and deadlines. for requesting accessible ballots (at least 30 days before elections) and defines technical specifications (grade two Braille, 18-point or larger font), promoting consistency and usability across the state.
Requires official oversight and quality control. (such as qualified Braille proofreaders and state board/education commissioner rulemaking), increasing the likelihood that accessible ballots are properly prepared and free from errors that could impact voting outcomes.
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
Headline styles
Braille Absentee Ballots Required
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to election law
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 59–1
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.374
- Referred to elections
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to election law
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
Show 3 earlier actions
- Ordered to third reading cal.1295
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- 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.
Braille Ballots for Absentee Voters
In Assembly Committee · Election Law · Sponsor David Weprin
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3447
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 7, 2019
Introduced by Sen. STAVISKY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Elections
AN ACT to amend the election law and the education law, in relation to making absentee ballots available in Braille and large-print
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 7-107 to read as follows:
§ 7-107. Absentee ballots in Braille and large-print to be made available. 1. Absentee ballots printed in Braille and large-print shall be made available upon the request of any registered voter who is blind or visually impaired. Persons wishing to receive Braille or large-print absentee ballots must give notice thereof to the board of elections no less than thirty days prior to each election day to enable the board to prepare and distribute such ballots.
2. The state board of elections shall promulgate rules for the preparation, distribution, casting, and canvass of Braille and large-print absentee ballots. The state board of elections shall develop the initial format for both Braille and large-print ballots in consultation with at least three New York state organizations with expertise in the field of advocacy for people with disabilities and such other appropriate persons, groups, entities or organizations as the state board of elections shall determine. For the purpose of this section, "Braille" refers to grade two Braille and "large-print" refers to a font of eighteen point or larger. Upon the printing of a Braille ballot, the board of elections shall require such Braille ballot to be proofread by a qualified Braille reader. The state board of elections shall establish the minimum qualifications for a Braille ballot proofreader in consultation with at least three New York state organizations with expertise in the field of advocacy for people with disabilities and such other appro-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07402-01-9
S. 3447 2
priate persons, groups, entities or organizations as such board shall determine.
§ 2. The education law is amended by adding a new section 2022-a to read as follows:
§ 2022-a. Ballots in Braille and large-print to be made available. 1. Absentee ballots printed in Braille and large-print shall be made available upon the request of any registered voter who is blind or visually impaired. Persons wishing to receive Braille and large-print absentee ballots must give notice thereof no less than thirty days prior to each election day to enable preparation and distribution of such ballots.
2. The commissioner, in consultation with the state board of elections, shall promulgate rules for the preparation, distribution, casting, and canvass of Braille and large-print absentee ballots. The department shall develop the initial format for both Braille and largeprint ballots in consultation with at least three New York state organizations with expertise in the field of advocacy for people with disabilities and such other appropriate persons, groups, entities or organizations as such board shall determine. For the purposes of this section, "Braille" refers to grade two Braille and "large-print" refers to a font of eighteen point or larger. Upon the printing of a Braille ballot, such Braille ballot shall be proofread by a qualified Braille reader. The department shall establish the minimum qualifications for a Braille ballot proofreader in consultation with the state board of elections and at least three New York state organizations with expertise in the field of advocacy for people with disabilities and such other appropriate persons, groups, entities or organizations as such department shall determine.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the first of December next succeeding the date on which 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 effective date.
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 and the education law, in relation to making absentee ballots available in Braille and large-print
Purpose or general idea of bill
To make absentee ballots available in Braille and large-print
Summary of provisions
Provides that absentee ballots for all elections shall be made available in Braille and large print, upon request of a blind or visually impaired voter no less than 30 days prior to each Election Day.
Justification
This act will enable blind and visually impaired persons to request and receive Braille or large-print absentee ballots. While the adoption and implementation of technologically advanced ballot marking devices with optical scanners has marked a new milestone for accessibility of in-per- son voting for individuals with disabilities, currently, blind or visu- ally impaired people must have someone assist them in filling out absen- tee ballots because such ballots are not produced in accessible formats. This interferes with the rights of blind or visually impaired people to vote independently.
Prior legislative history
2017-2018: A.4961-B - Passed Assembly; S 8775 referred to Elections.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
There will be minimal costs associated with the production of the Braille and large-print ballots.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of December next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law; provided, however that effec- tive 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 effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.