§ 17-202. Interpretation of laws related to the elective franchise. In\nfurther recognition of the protections for the right to vote provided by\nthe constitution of the state of New York, all statutes, rules and\nregulations, and local laws or ordinances related to the elective\nfranchise shall be construed liberally in favor of (a) protecting the\nright of voters to have their ballot cast and counted; (b) ensuring that\neligible voters are not impaired in registering to vote, and (c)\nensuring voters of race, color, and language-minority groups have\nequitable access to fully participate in the electoral process in\nregistering to vote and voting. The authority to prescribe or maintain\nvoting or elections policies and practices cannot be so exercised as to\nunnecessarily deny or abridge the right to vote. Policies and practices\nthat burden the right to vote must be narrowly tailored to promote a\ncompelling policy justification that must be supported by substantial\nevidence.\n
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