Bill Text: NY S06997 | 2015-2016 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relates to requiring voting materials to be provided in Russian.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-03-15 - REFERRED TO ELECTIONS [S06997 Detail]

Download: New_York-2015-S06997-Introduced.html

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                STATE OF NEW YORK
        ________________________________________________________________________
                                          6997
                    IN SENATE
                                     March 15, 2016
                                       ___________
        Introduced  by  Sen.  SAVINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
          printed to be committed to the Committee on Elections
        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.
                                                                   LBD05253-01-5