What's happening
This bill requires boards of elections in New York City to provide Haitian Creole voting materials and information.
Why it matters
Expands language access for Haitian Creole speakers. in New York City, helping a significant immigrant community better understand voting procedures, deadlines, and their rights.
Reduces barriers to voter registration and participation. by ensuring essential documents—such as voter registration forms and absentee ballot instructions—are available in Haitian Creole, making the process clearer and more approachable.
Promotes more inclusive civic engagement. by requiring voter information booklets with frequently asked questions in Haitian Creole, which may increase turnout and informed participation among a historically underserved population.
Sets a precedent for multilingual election resources. that could encourage similar policies for other language communities, signaling a broader commitment to accessible democracy.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Haitian Creole Voting Materials
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to elections
- 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.
Haitian Creole Voting Materials
In Assembly Committee · Election Law · Sponsor Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4877
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 28, 2019
Introduced by Sens. PARKER, COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Elections
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to providing 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. A board of elections in a city with a population of over one million 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 that 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.
LBD00110-01-9
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, in relation to providing Haitian Creole language voting materials
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to provide voting material in Haitian Creole
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 would authorize board of election to provide voting materials in Haitian Creole. It shall also produce:
(a) A voter registration form in English with instructions in Haitian Creole
(b) Instructions in Haitian Creole regarding the criteria and applica- tion process for obtaining an absentee ballot
(c) A section with general voter information in Haitian Creole including frequently asked questions
Justification
The board of election currently does not provide voting material in areas in which there is primarily a Haitian Creole speaking population. Providing voting material in Haitian Creole will allow those citizens to understand the voting process.
Prior legislative history
2017-18: S2844 - REFERRED TO ELECTIONS 2015-16: S.7241 - Referred to Elections
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.