Language Assistance for Limited-English-Proficient Voters

Author:	Angela M. Arboleda
Contact:	Angela M. Arboleda
Date:	Jul 29, 2004
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Related
Topics:	Advocacy and Electoral Empowerment, Civil Rights and Justice
Program:	“LEAP to Action” Voter Mobilization Project
Policies:	California: Language Access, Voting Rights
Region:	Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Texas, Far West, California - Los Angeles, Puerto Rico, California - Sacramento

Summary

Some counties are required to provide bilingual voting materials including ballots to limited-English-proficient voters. This document list the the types of assistance that must be provided to language-minority voters, and the jurisdictions and languages that are covered by the Voting Rights Act.

Description

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 ensures that all eligible voters are protected from discrimination as they cast their ballot. The strong link between voters who are limited-English-proficient and low voter participation was addressed by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act: it mandates that some counties provide bilingual voting assistance for language-minority voters. This document provides a list of the types of assistance that must be provided to language-minority voters, as well as the jurisdictions and languages that are covered by Section 203. It also gives helpful tips that community members can take to help break down the barriers that prevent certain citizens from exercising their Constitutional right to vote.

Asistencia Lingüística para Votantes con un Limitado Nivel de Inglés