Reinvent Albany urges Governor Hochul to sign S1381-A (Comrie) / A1722-A (Zinerman), which requires plain language in statewide ballot amendments. We believe that providing voters with clear, simple language allows them to make more informed decisions about how to cast their vote.
According to the US Department of Education, only 48% of Americans can read at a level required to understand “dense, lengthy, or complex texts.” New York is in the bottom ten for state literacy rates, meaning that complex ballot language is even more challenging for voters.
This bill requires ballot amendments to be written in language no higher than an eighth-grade reading level. This will simplify the voting process and help New Yorkers make more informed decisions at the ballot box.