BILL NUMBER: S9687
SPONSOR: MYRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the election law, in relation to voting rights; to amend
chapter 226 of the laws of 2022 amending the election law relating to
establishing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York, establish-
ing rights of action for denying or abridging of the right of any member
of a protected class to vote, providing assistance to language-minority
groups, requiring certain political subdivisions to receive preclearance
for potential violations of the NYVRA, and creating civil liability for
voter intimidation, in relation to making technical changes; and to
repeal certain provisions of the election law relating to voting rights
 
PURPOSE:
To facilitate implementation of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of
New York.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
This bill would authorize the Civil Rights Bureau ("CRB") of the Office
of the Attorney General to promulgate rules to effectuate the purposes
of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York ("NYVRA"). The bill
would clarify the definition of "protected class" and certain provisions
of the coverage formula determining which jurisdictions are subject to
the NYVRA's preclearance requirements. The bill would require that the
CRB receive notification of certain actions relevant to administration
of the NYVRA, including litigation that may trigger preclearance cover-
age for a jurisdiction and the commencement of proceedings under section
17-206(7). The bill would require jurisdictions covered under the
preclearance formula to provide certain information to the CRB upon
request. Additionally, the bill would clarify certain procedural
elements of proceedings under section 17-206(7) and amend the provisions
pertaining to deceptive or fraudulent devices, contrivances, or communi-
cations.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill is intended to streamline administration of and compliance
with the statute, to maximize transparency, and to ensure accuracy and
precision in preclearance coverage determinations. As a result, the
statute will more effectively protect the voting rights of New Yorkers
while minimizing the burden on local jurisdictions.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
 
FISCAL IMPACT ON THE STATE:
None noted.
 
FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCALITIES:
None noted.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately, except amendments to §§17-208, 17-210, 17-219 of the
Election Law and Section five of Chapter 226 of the Laws of 2022 would
take effect as specifically provided in the bill.

Statutes affected:
S9687: 17-204 election law, 17-204(5) election law, 17-204(10) election law, 17-206 election law, 17-206(7) election law, 17-210 election law, 17-210(3) election law, 17-210(7) election law, 17-214 election law, 17-216 election law