NY A10712

Requires state board of elections and local boards of elections to submit voting-related changes to the state attorney general for pre-clearance approval before implementation.

Pre-clearance applies to counties with at least 10 percent population comprised of members of a protected class (race, color, or language minority) based on five-year U.S. Census estimates.

Pre-clearance also applies to counties previously subject to federal pre-clearance under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 or that have been subject to court orders or government enforcement actions for discriminatory voting practices within the past ten years.

Attorney general's civil rights bureau must respond in writing with approval or objections within 60 days of receiving a pre-clearance submission.

Exempts changes made pursuant to law and becomes effective 180 days after enactment.