Bill > S2589

This bill, known as the "Expanding the VOTE Act," makes several significant changes to language minority voting rights and election materials. It modifies the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by expanding the definition of "voting materials" to include both digital and printed election-related information, and clarifies requirements for providing voting materials in minority languages. The bill introduces new provisions for states and political subdivisions regarding language minority voting materials, including specific guidelines for American Indian and Alaska Native language translations. It establishes a grant program through the Election Assistance Commission to incentivize providing voting materials in languages that don't currently meet legal coverage thresholds, with up to $15 million in funding authorized. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive study by the Comptroller General to examine potential reductions in language minority population thresholds for translation requirements and consider expanding language minority definitions to include speakers of Arabic, French, Haitian Creole, and potentially other languages. The study aims to assess the impact of these potential changes and will require a report to Congress within one year of the Act's enactment, ultimately seeking to improve election accessibility for language minorities across the United States.

Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2589/all-info