What's happening
This bill requires New York election boards to provide Haitian Creole voting materials and information both online and in print.
Why it matters
Expands civic participation. By requiring Haitian Creole translations for voting materials, the bill helps ensure that thousands of New Yorkers who speak Haitian Creole can more easily understand their rights and participate in elections.
Addresses language barriers. The amendment explicitly mandates both online and printed information be available in Haitian Creole, meaning voters with limited English proficiency have improved access at every stage—from registration to understanding absentee voting.
Promotes equity in voting access. Including Haitian Creole alongside other languages acknowledges the growing Haitian community in New York and aims to reduce disparities in access to vital voting information.
Sets a precedent for language inclusion. The bill could pave the way for adding more languages in the future, as it allows election boards to include additional translations both online and in print, potentially making elections more accessible for other linguistic minorities.
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
Boards of elections
Each board would have to provide Haitian Creole versions of website information offered in other non-English languages and produce and distribute a voter information booklet citywide.
Haitian Creole-speaking voters
They would gain Haitian Creole registration instructions, absentee ballot eligibility and application guidance, and general voting information, including frequently asked questions.
- Likely support
Voter registration and voting access advocates
The required booklet would provide an English registration form with Haitian Creole instructions to support their outreach.
Headline styles
Haitian Creole Voting Materials
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 38
3 Co-sponsors
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
519
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sens. CARLUCCI, KRUEGER, SEPULVEDA, SERRANO -- 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 requiring boards of elections to provide 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. Each board of elections 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 the 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.
LBD00112-01-9
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 requiring boards of elections to provide Haitian Creole language voting materials
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to provide voting materials in Haitian Creole
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 would authorize boards 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 materials 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: S5602/A7208 - ELECTIONS/election law
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.