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Bill

A 7143

Require boards of elections to provide Haitian Creole language voting materials

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and 3 co-sponsors

Requires boards of elections to provide voting materials in Haitian Creole, boosting access for Creole speakers and ensuring translated ballots, forms, and notices.

REFERRED TO ELECTION LAW
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 7143

Summary of Bill A 7143: Require Boards of Elections to Provide Haitian Creole Language Voting Materials

Purpose and intent

  • The bill would require boards of elections to provide voting materials in Haitian Creole. The aim is to improve language access and ensure Haitian Creole-speaking voters have information about elections in a language they understand.

Key provisions (as described)

  • The primary requirement is that boards of elections must provide Haitian Creole language voting materials.
  • The specific scope of materials (e.g., ballots, instructions, forms, notices, or other election-related documents) and any related compliance details would be set out in the bill’s text. This summary reflects the bill’s title and stated objective; exact provisions would be found in the enacted language.
  • Translation and distribution would fall under the duties of the boards of elections, with implementation guided by the bill’s language.

Who is affected

  • Boards of elections at the state/municipal level responsible for administering elections.
  • Haitian Creole-speaking voters and communities who rely on Haitian Creole materials to participate in elections.
  • Election workers and staff who would handle translated materials and assist voters.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Status: Referred to the Assembly’s Election Law committee, indicating the bill is in the early stages of consideration.
  • Introduced: March 20, 2025.
  • Legislative actions recorded: Referred to Election Law on March 20, 2025 (listed twice in the provided record, suggesting a clerical duplication rather than additional action).
  • No floor action, voting, or enacted date is recorded in the provided information.
  • Related activity: The bill has several related bills from prior sessions (A 7208, A 2304, A 5348, A 3918), indicating ongoing legislative interest in language access in elections.

Sponsors

  • Primary sponsor: Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
  • Cosponsors: Jo Anne Simon, Eddie Gibbs, William Colton

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Accessibility: Could significantly improve access to election information for Haitian Creole speakers, potentially expanding participation.
  • Implementation: Will require resources for translation, printing, and distribution of materials; boards would need to establish processes to ensure accuracy and up-to-date translations.
  • Compliance and oversight: Likely would include standards or timelines for providing translated materials and mechanisms to address noncompliance.
  • Fiscal impact: Not specified here; potential costs would depend on the bill’s final text and funding provisions.

Related bills

  • A 7208 (prior-session)
  • A 2304 (prior-session)
  • A 5348 (prior-session)
  • A 3918 (prior-session)

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize particular aspects (e.g., implementation steps, potential fiscal considerations, or cross-reference with existing language-access laws).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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