BILL NUMBER: S6094

SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the election law, in relation to provision of interpret-
ers at poll sites in certain cities

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This legislation will help voters who do not speak English well to be
able to vote.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section one of this bill amends the Election Law by adding a new section
8110. Subdivision-one of this new section provides that the Board of
Elections in consultation with the executive office of any city with a
population of one million or more, shall provide interpreters for each
of the six most common languages spoken by individuals with limited
English proficiency residing in the County.  In election districts where
at least 50 voting age limited, English proficiency residents speak one
              

of the common languages; the OBOE shall provide an interpreter at each
poll place in the election district. The six most common languages
spoken by individuals with limited English proficiency residing in each
County, as well as the poll locations that require interpreters, is
Determined by the CBOE using United States Census data or American.
Community Survey Data, whichever is more recent. This determination must
be reviewed every 2 years. The Board of Elections shall work with the
city Subdivision two of this new section provides that interpreters
shall be provided by the New York City Board of Elections (NYCBOE)for
each of the languages that is designated as citywide languages pursuant
to section 23-1101 of the New York City Administrative Code.

In election districts where at least 50 voting age limited English
proficiency residents speak one of the city-wide languages, the NYCBOE
shall provide an interpreter at each poll place in the election
district. The determination regarding which poll locations require
interpreters, is made by the NYCBOE using United States Census data or
American Community Service Data, whichever is more recent. This determi-
nation must be reviewed every2 years. Currently, the city-wide languages
are Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Italian, Korean,
Polish, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu.  Subdivision three of this new
section provides that interpreters shall be located in the poll site.

Subdivision four of this new section provides that each CBOE and the
NYCBOE may provide interpreters for languages for which an interpreter
is not mandated pursuant to this new section. Subdivision five of this
new section provides that the State Board of Elections shall promulgate
rules and regulations to implement this new section.

Section two of this bill provides that this act shall take effect on the
first of January 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 action
its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before
such effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:
The right to vote is guaranteed by the United States Constitution.
Originally, the right to vote in the United States was provided only to
property-owning or tax paying Caucasian men. The expansion of voting
rights beyond this group was frequently the result of a long, difficult
fight.

The right to vote is a right that should be cherished and exercised.
Unfortunately, for many, communication issues make it difficult, if not
impossible, to vote. This bill would eliminate communication issues for
many limited English proficiency voters, enabling them to be able to
exercise their right to vote.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2023-24: S7367 referred to election law

2021-22: A07467; referred to election law

2019-20: A6075B; referred to election law

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

TBD

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of January 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.