National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials

Information for Language Minorities at the Polls

Federal Law under the Voting Rights Act requires that certain states and specific jurisdictions within states accommodate Language minorities. Jurisdictions that are covered under this law are required to provide all information that is provided in English to also be provided in the designated minority language as well. This includes, election materials, instructions on voting, and oral assistance to voters who do not speak English.
Covered jurisdictions must also have poll workers who are able to speak the designated minority language to answer questions and provide instructions.

Bilingual Poll Workers in Covered Jurisdictions

Non-English speaking voters may often have questions at the polls. They may have trouble with the voting machines. They may not be sure about where their polling place is. They may have questions about completing the ballot correctly. Covered jurisdictions must have bilingual poll workers who can help answer such questions. Not having bilingual poll workers who can speak the language sufficiently may deprive voters of
their right to assistance at the polls.

Accurately translated materials

All materials made available to language minorities at the polling place must be accurately translated in the appropriate language.Poorly translated materials may mislead voters and not provide them with clear instructions about how to vote successfully.