What's happening
This bill requires absentee ballots to be available in Braille and large-print for blind or visually impaired voters in New York.
Why it matters
Enhances voting accessibility and independence for blind and visually impaired voters. by mandating the availability of both Braille and large-print absentee ballots, allowing these individuals to read and complete ballots privately without relying on assistance.
Requires meaningful input from disability advocacy organizations. in the development and formatting of accessible ballots, ensuring that the needs and preferences of visually impaired voters are considered in both ballot creation and proofreading standards.
Establishes clear guidelines and oversight for ballot accuracy. by mandating that Braille ballots be proofread by qualified Braille readers with minimum qualifications developed in consultation with experts, reducing the risk of errors that could disenfranchise voters.
Sets a timeline and procedural framework for implementation. by requiring voters to request accessible ballots at least 30 days before elections and calling for the prompt creation of rules and regulations, supporting smooth and timely access to these new voting materials.
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Who cares
Blind or visually impaired registered voters
They could request Braille or large-print absentee ballots by giving notice at least 30 days before each election day.
State and local boards of elections
They would face new duties covering accessible ballot preparation, distribution, casting and canvassing, including qualified proofreading of Braille ballots.
State Education Department
The department would develop ballot formats and proofreader qualifications, while the commissioner would set rules in consultation with the State Board of Elections.
New York disability advocacy organizations
At least three organizations with disability advocacy expertise would be consulted on initial ballot formats and minimum qualifications for Braille ballot proofreaders.
Headline styles
Braille Ballots for Blind Voters
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to election law
- Referred to election law
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1552
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 10, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. WEPRIN, COLTON, LAVINE, VANEL, SIMON, SEAWRIGHT -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. GLICK -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
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 shall 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.
LBD03832-01-5
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 shall 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 and completed on or before such effective date.
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.