Op-Ed: More Work Ahead on Voting Rights in NY

Even by modern standards, this has been one of the most vicious presidential contests in recent memory. Between all of the falsehoods, name calling and threats of violence, there have been few reasons for optimism about the health of our democracy. But by continuing our push to make voting more accessible, New York can defend the rights of all eligible voters.

For the past several months, the leaders of one of America’s major political parties have spread vile and racist rumors about Haitian migrants. In the community where I grew up- and that I now represent in the State Senate- this has been a deeply painful election season.

The outrageous statements are obviously lies- and they’re not even original ones. For centuries, nativist politicians have spread despicable stories about every wave of newcomers to our shores, from the Irish and Italians to the Chinese and the Jews. It should come as no surprise that none of the leaders who spread these slanders are remembered fondly.

Yet in Central Brooklyn, I see a Haitian-American and West Indian population that is vibrant, resilient and dedicated to our community. Approximately 35,000 New Yorkers have limited proficiency in English and instead speak Haitian Creole. It is past time we updated our laws to allow eligible adults the ability to vote in the language they are most comfortable using, including Haitian Creole.

Today I am introducing a bill to do just that. Our current laws require election materials (including ballots, voter registration applications and polling place signage) to be translated into Spanish, Mandarin and Korean. My new legislation would expand this requirement to include Haitian Creole, as well as Arabic (spoken by around 27,000 New Yorkers).

Since I joined the State Senate in 2019, New York has diligently worked to expand voting rights, improve our elections and defend our democracy. As chair of the Elections Committee, I held hearings with voters across the state and issued a report highlighting dozens of ideas to make our voting process easier and fairer for all New Yorkers. Since then, many of these ideas have become law.

In 2022, New York passed the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act (VRA), which has been called the strongest state voter protection law in the country. This law restores and strengthens many of the protections that the US Supreme Court eliminated when they struck down portions of the federal Voting Rights Act more than a decade ago. New York’s law gives important powers to the Attorney General to review any proposed changes to election rules, strengthens laws against voter deception and intimidation, and makes it easier for voters to challenge discrimination.

Already, this law is having an impact in communities around the state. In the Westchester town of Mount Pleasant, Latino residents are using the VRA to challenge the town’s method of electing local officials that has effectively limited the chances of a Hispanic candidate to win.

We haven’t worked to expand access to the ballot, protect voting rights because it helps one party or the other. We’ve done it because we believe it’s the right thing to do, and because our democracy is stronger when more New Yorkers can participate in it. Expanding access to voters who speak languages other than English is another step toward a more perfect union. 

To be clear– the migrants that have been on the receiving end of so much hatred and vitriol this year are not citizens, cannot vote, and would not be impacted by this legislation. But expanding voter access for limited English speakers would have practical effects for the many eligible and registered voters in New York City– including many who are my neighbors in Central Brooklyn. 

It would also have a powerful symbolic effect: while some national leaders have scapegoated newcomers to our country, passing this bill would demonstrate that New York remains a welcoming place for all. Generations of immigrants from every country in the world have come here and made New York their home. Today I serve in the Senate with people of almost every heritage imaginable, and our state is better off for it.

This week, hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers are headed to the polls to cast their ballots during early voting– another critical reform we passed in 2019. After the dust settles on our current election, New York can continue its march toward expanding voting rights and strengthening our democracy by passing this legislation as soon as we reconvene in January.

Senator Myrie is chair of the Senate Elections Committee.