What's happening
This bill requires New York City election materials and assistance to be provided in Haitian Creole where significant Haitian populations reside.
Why it matters
Expands language access for Haitian Creole speakers in NYC elections, potentially increasing civic participation among a historically underrepresented immigrant community. This addresses barriers that can prevent eligible voters from registering, understanding ballots, or accessing absentee voting.
Mandates Haitian Creole-speaking interpreters at polling sites in districts where at least 5% of the population identifies as Haitian. This ensures that language will not be a barrier to assistance or understanding the voting process in neighborhoods with significant Haitian populations.
Requires the Board of Elections to produce and distribute voter information materials—including instruction booklets and FAQs—in Haitian Creole citywide. This could improve overall election transparency and trust, as more voters will be able to navigate the process in their preferred language.
Sets a precedent for expanding language access based on demographic need, potentially influencing future efforts to include other language communities as the city’s population diversifies.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Voting Help in Haitian Creole
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
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
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4882
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 28, 2019
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- 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 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 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.
LBD00116-01-9
S. 4882 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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the election law, in relation to providing voting materials and assistance in Haitian Creole
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to allow for any Haitian Creole speakers to have an easier understanding of the election process.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 is to provide all information that is provided by a board of elections in English about the electoral process, which includes regis- tration or voting notices, forms, instructions, voting systems, ballot marking devices and ballots in Haitian Creole to the extent that is needed for the voters who speak Haitian Creole, and this information shall be provided on its website. A city-wide booklet that includes a voter registration form in English with instructions in Haitian Creole will be provided, as well as instructions in regard to the criteria and application process for obtaining an absentee ballot, and a section with general voter information, both in Haitian Creole. One or more Haitian Creole-speaking interpreters will be provided at each polling location in an election district that has a population comprised of five percent or more of people who identify as Haitian.
Justification
Providing interpreters who speak the Haitian-Creole language will make it possible for more Haitian-American residents to exercise their right to vote.
Prior legislative history
2017-18: S.2845 - REFERRED TO ELECTIONS 2015-16: S.7240 - Referred to Elections
Fiscal implications
TBD
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the commis- sioners of the New York State board of elections shall promulgate all rules and regulations and take all actions necessary to implement the provisions of this act on or before its effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.