New York Voters' Rights Under the NYVRA

NEW YORKERS HAVE NEW PROTECTIONS AGAINST VOTER INTIMIDATION, OBSTRUCTION, DECEPTION, AND RACIALLY DISCRIMINATORY VOTER SUPPRESSION

Heading into the November 2024 election, learn how to use new
tools to protect your right to vote.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York (NYVRA) sets a new standard for protecting voters of color. The NYVRA allows New Yorkers to sue a person, or a group engaged in acts of voter intimidation, obstruction, deception, or suppression.

The NYVRA aims to strengthen voting rights for all New Yorkers and provide equal access to the polls for all eligible voters.

What is voter intimidation and obstruction, and what are some examples?

Voter intimidation occurs when someone does or says something that makes you feel unsafe about exercising your right to vote.

Voter obstruction occurs when someone prevents or makes it more difficult for you to vote.

Examples of voter intimidation or obstruction include:

• Using threats or harassment to pressure you into voting a certain way or not voting at all
• Physically blocking roads or pathways to access polling
• Phone calls claiming negative consequences for voting, like having your information accessed by law enforcement, credit card companies, or immigration authorities

What is voter deception, and what are some examples?

Voter deception occurs when someone uses false information to trick or confuse you about the voting process.

Examples of voter deception include:

• Falsely telling voters they can vote on Wednesday when the election is on Tuesday
• Falsely telling voters they are not eligible because of an arrest
• Falsely telling voters that only members of a particular political party can vote at a certain location
• Generally spreading lies about election details or misinformation about who is eligible, when polls are open, or where to vote

What is voter suppression, and what are some examples?

Discriminatory voter suppression refers to laws and practices that make it harder for voters of color to cast ballots, compared to other voters.

Examples of voter suppression include:

• Polling place closures in Black and other communities of color
• Longer lines in Black and communities of color
• Removing voters from the rolls in a racially discriminatory fashion

How does the NYVRA protect against voter intimidation, deception, obstruction, and suppression?

• The NYVRA bans voter intimidation, deception, and obstruction no matter who does it – including private individuals, campaigns, law enforcement, or other officials.
• The NYVRA empowers voters, organizations that represent voters, and the Attorney General to sue any person or group engaged in intimidation, deception, or obstruction to prevent the harm or hold them accountable.
• The NYVRA instructs courts to take action to prevent or fix acts of intimidation, deception, and obstruction, which may include issuing a legally enforceable order to stop, providing more time to vote, or making the bad actor give money damages to the voter.
• The NYVRA also empowers voters, organizations that represent voters, and the Attorney General to sue local governments or officials engaged in discriminatory voter suppression and instructs courts to take action to fix the problem.

FIGHT BACK AGAINST VOTER INTIMIDATION, DECEPTION, OBSTRUCTION, AND SUPPRESSION DURING THIS YEAR’S ELECTIONS.

What should I do if I see or experience voter intimidation, deception, obstruction, or suppression?

• Document what you saw or experienced in as much detail as possible—write down dates and times, take pictures, etc.
• Call a voter protection hotline:
  • Election Protection at
    866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).
  • Assistance available in Spanish at 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888- 839-8682).
  • Assistance available in Arabic at 844-YALLA-US (844-915-5187).
  • Assistance available in Asian languages at 888-API-VOTE (1-888-274-8683).
  • American Sign Language video line is available at 301-818-VOTE (301-818-8683).
• Notify the Attorney General and your local election officials:
  • Contact the New York Attorney General office’s voter protection hotline by phone, at 866-390-2992; email, at election.hotline@ag.ny.gov; or by filling out their Election Complaint Form online, at electionhotline.ag.ny.gov. Reports and complaints are accepted in any language.
• If you fear imminent physical harm and feel safe doing so, call 911. Otherwise reach out to one or more of the resources above.

LEARN ABOUT THE KEY PROVISIONS OF THE NYVRA: naacpldf.org/new-york-voting-rights-act