STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
3448
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 29, 2019
___________
Introduced by M. of A. CYMBROWITZ, COLTON, HEVESI, MOSLEY, JOYNER,
JEAN-PIERRE, GOTTFRIED, ARROYO, CAHILL, BLAKE, CRESPO, BICHOTTE, WALK-
ER -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COOK, HYNDMAN, LAWRENCE, LENTOL,
SIMON, WEPRIN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election
Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to voting materials in
Russian
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Section 3-506 of the election law, as added by chapter 244
2 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows:
3 § 3-506. Boards of elections; voting materials in Russian. A board of
4 elections in a city of over one million shall provide [the same informa-
5 tion in Russian that it provides in languages other than English on its
6 website. It] all information that is provided by such a board of
7 elections in English about the electoral process, including registration
8 or voting notices, forms, instructions, assistance as well as informa-
9 tion provided at the polling place, including voting systems, ballot
10 marking devices and ballots in Russian to the extent needed to allow
11 voters who speak Russian to participate effectively in the electoral
12 process and all voting-connected activities. Such board of elections
13 shall also provide the same information in Russian that it provides in
14 languages other than English on its website. Such board of elections
15 shall also produce and disseminate citywide a booklet that includes: (a)
16 a voter registration form in English with instructions in Russian; (b)
17 instructions in Russian regarding the criteria and application process
18 for obtaining an absentee ballot; and (c) a section with general voter
19 information in Russian including frequently asked questions. Such board
20 may include other languages on its website and in such booklet.
21 § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
22 it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
23 ment and/or repeal of any rules or regulations necessary for the imple-
24 mentation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made on
25 or before such date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05916-01-9