Expanding Language Access in Elections: Support for Minority Voters
This bill aims to make elections more accessible for language minority groups by expanding the requirement for translated voting materials. It also provides financial incentives for states and local governments to voluntarily offer more language options. Citizens from language minority communities can expect improved access to election information in their native languages.
Key points
Broadens the definition of voting materials to include digital and printed forms, increasing the scope of documents requiring translation.
Requires states to provide voting materials in minority languages if their political subdivisions are mandated to do so.
Provides flexibility for American Indian and Alaska Native languages: oral translations are allowed if the language is unwritten or the tribe prefers, while written translations for election workers are still required.
Establishes grants for states and political subdivisions to voluntarily provide voting materials in additional minority languages, even if not legally required.
Mandates a study on the impact of lowering language minority thresholds and including new languages (e.g., Arabic, French, Haitian Creole) in the definition of language minorities.
Expired
Citizen Poll