S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
3973
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 8, 2023
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Introduced by M. of A. BICHOTTE HERMELYN, PEOPLES-STOKES, DICKENS,
SIMON, JEAN-PIERRE -- read once and referred to the Committee on
Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to providing voting mate-
rials and assistance in Haitian Creole
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, 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. EACH BOARD OF ELECTIONS 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 ELEC-
TORAL 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 CRITE-
RIA 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 POPU-
LATION 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.
LBD07269-01-3
A. 3973 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 and completed
on or before such date.