Non-English speaking citizens can face additional barriers while voting. This article summarizes your rights at the ballot box and some tools to help you navigate the process.
Why Multilingual Resources are Needed
According to a 2019 U.S. Census Bureau survey, nearly 68 million people in the U.S. speak a language other than English at home. And each year, the U.S. welcomes around 800,000 new citizens from all over the world.
Providing voting information in languages that reflect the diversity of U.S. citizens is an important way to help people exercise their right to vote and is one of the foundational elements that drive our work.
Translated Election Materials
Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act requires counties and localities with large numbers of non-English speakers to provide election materials like voter registration forms and ballots in both English and other languages, based on the percentage of a county’s population that speaks a language other than English. These Section 203 requirements apply to any federal, state, or local election within a covered jurisdiction, and an updated list of counties with their required language is available on the Department of Justice’s website.
Is your language not covered by Section 203 in your locality? Many states require that ballots and election-related materials be translated into multiple languages. Others provide additional language assistance at polling places, such as bilingual staff or interpreters. Visiting your state’s official elections office or your state’s Secretary of State website can provide you with more information about your specific state’s policies.
Assistance At The Polls
Voters who have difficulty reading or writing in English can bring a person of their choice to the ballot box for assistance, such as a friend or family member. However, this person cannot be that voter’s employer, an agent of that employer, or an agent or officer of that voter’s union.
If you run into any difficulties while voting or registering to vote, many reputable organizations host information hotlines to answer questions or provide assistance in several different languages.
Examples include:
- Spanish: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA / 1-888-839-8682
- Arabic: 1-844-YALLA-US / 1-844-925-5287
- English: 1-866-OUR-VOTE / 1-866-687-8683.
- Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Urdu, Korean, Mandarin, Punjabi, Tagalog, Vietnamese, English: 1-888-API-VOTE / 1-888-274-8683
Vote By Mail
One way to avoid the fear of discrimination or any voting complications is to vote by mail. Vote by mail laws and procedures vary by state. Before every election, make a voting plan to check off that your voter registration is up-to-date, you’ve researched the candidates and issues on your ballot, found your polling location, or that you’ve requested a vote-by-mail ballot (if applicable). Make your personalized voting plan early and stick to it. To get started, plan your election here.
Additional resources
USA.gov State Election Office Finder
This website can direct you to your state’s official elections office or Secretary of State website, where you can find more information about translated election materials and polling place assistance in your home state.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice
This organization provides resources to Asian American and non-English speaking voters and operates the 1-888-API-VOTE hotline.
The Election Assistance Commission (EAC)
The EAC helps people overcome language barriers to voting.
- The downloadable Voter’s Guide to Federal Elections is available in 11 languages. Find tips on everything from registering to vote to casting a ballot on Election Day.
- The National Mail Voter Registration Form is available in 21 languages. You can use it in most states to register and to update your voter registration information.