STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
5344
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 12, 2021
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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:
1 Section 1. The election law is amended by adding a new section 3-507
2 to read as follows:
3 § 3-507. Board of elections; voting materials and assistance in
4 Haitian Creole. Each board of elections shall:
5 (a) Provide all information that is provided by such a board of
6 elections in English about the electoral process, including registration
7 or voting notices, forms, instructions, voting systems, ballot marking
8 devices and ballots in Haitian Creole to the extent needed to allow
9 voters who speak Haitian Creole to participate effectively in the elec-
10 toral process and all voting-connected activities. Such board of
11 elections shall also provide the same information in Haitian Creole that
12 it provides in languages other than English on its website. Such board
13 of elections shall also produce and disseminate citywide a booklet that
14 includes: (1) a voter registration form in English with instructions in
15 Haitian Creole; (2) instructions in Haitian Creole regarding the crite-
16 ria and application process for obtaining an absentee ballot; and (3) a
17 section with general voter information in Haitian Creole including
18 frequently asked questions. Such board may include other languages on
19 its website and in such booklet.
20 (b) Provide one or more Haitian Creole-speaking interpreters at each
21 polling location in election districts in any county that has a popu-
22 lation comprised of five percent or more of people who identify as being
23 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.
LBD06484-01-1
A. 5344 2
1 purpose of assisting voters whose first language is Haitian Creole to
2 participate in all aspects of the voting process.
3 § 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall
4 have become a law. Effective immediately the addition, amendment and/or
5 repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of
6 this act on its effective date are authorized to be made on or before
7 such date.
