Bill > S08471

This bill amends the New York election law to require boards of elections or political subdivisions that are mandated to provide language assistance to a specific language-minority group to also provide facsimile ballots and sample ballots in that group's language. Currently, these entities are already required to provide voting-related materials in the covered language with equal quality to English-language materials, including registration notices, forms, instructions, and ballots. The bill specifically adds "facsimile ballots" and "sample ballots" to the list of materials that must be translated. This requirement applies to political subdivisions where a language-minority group is present, with a special provision for historically oral or unwritten languages, in which case only oral instructions and assistance are required. The bill will take effect 180 days after becoming law and will apply to elections held on or after that date, allowing election authorities time to prepare and implement the new translation requirements.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8471