{"id":351442,"date":"2020-04-14T08:31:49","date_gmt":"2020-04-14T13:31:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/voting\/how-u-s-elections-work\/bilingual-ballots-and-the-voting-rights-act.html"},"modified":"2026-05-04T10:18:01","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T15:18:01","slug":"bilingual-ballots-and-the-voting-rights-act","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/voting\/how-u-s-elections-work\/bilingual-ballots-and-the-voting-rights-act.html","title":{"rendered":"Bilingual Ballot Requirements: Your Voting Language Rights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Bilingual Ballot Requirements: Your Voting Language Rights<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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The Voting Rights Act<\/span> requires certain jurisdictions to provide election materials<\/span> in minority languages for voters with limited English proficiency<\/span>. Jurisdictions are covered when language minority groups<\/span> (Alaskan Native<\/span>, American Indian<\/span>, Asian, or Hispanic<\/span>) meet specific population thresholds. These requirements include translated ballots, registration forms, and bilingual poll workers<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Under the Voting Rights Act<\/span> of 1965 (VRA<\/span>), local <\/span>election<\/span> officials<\/span> must provide election materials<\/span> in your language if your jurisdiction is covered. These are binding legal obligations, not optional voting accommodations.<\/p>\n

If you believe\u00a0your language access<\/span> rights\u00a0have been denied, contact a\u00a0civil rights<\/span> attorney<\/a>\u00a0near you.\u00a0You may need legal help in various situations, such as when your jurisdiction is covered<\/a>, but election officials<\/span> don\u2019t provide the required materials. There are also cases where translated materials are incomplete, inaccurate, or unavailable. You may also encounter required\u00a0bilingual poll workers<\/span>\u00a0being absent. In these cases, a civil rights<\/span> attorney<\/a> can help you understand your options and take action to enforce your rights.<\/p>\n

Your Right To Language Assistance<\/span> Under Federal Law<\/span><\/h2>\n

The 1975 amendments to the\u00a0Voting Rights Act<\/span> of 1965 (VRA<\/span>)<\/a>\u00a0created specific protections for language minority voters<\/span>. Congress added\u00a0Section 203<\/a>, which requires certain jurisdictions to provide language assistance<\/span> during elections.<\/p>\n

If a jurisdiction fails to comply with Section 203, the U.S.\u00a0Department of Justice<\/span>\u00a0can take action, including filing\u00a0a lawsuit in federal court. Election officials<\/span> are legally responsible for providing these services.<\/p>\n

When Does the Federal Government Require Bilingual Ballots?<\/h2>\n

Language assistance<\/span> rights under\u00a0Section 203<\/a>\u00a0depend on your place of residence, not individual circumstances. If your jurisdiction is covered, all voters there have the right to access election materials<\/span> in the covered language, regardless of their English language<\/span> proficiency.<\/p>\n

Every five years, the Census Bureau<\/span> determines which areas need language help through data from the\u00a0American Community Survey<\/a>. An area is covered for a language group if it meets at least one of these conditions:<\/p>\n