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Bill > HR4917
US HR4917
US HR4917Expanding the VOTE Act Expanding the Voluntary Opportunities for Translations in Elections Act
summary
Introduced
08/05/2025
08/05/2025
In Committee
08/05/2025
08/05/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
119th Congress
Bill Summary
A BILL To modify certain notice requirements, to study certain election requirements, to clarify certain election requirements, and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill, called the Expanding the Voluntary Opportunities for Translations in Elections Act (Expanding the VOTE Act), aims to improve language access in voting materials for minority language groups. The bill modifies the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by expanding the definition of "voting materials" to include both digital and printed election-related information and clarifying requirements for providing translations. It introduces a new grant program through the Election Assistance Commission to incentivize states and political subdivisions to provide voting materials in languages that do not currently trigger mandatory translation requirements. The bill also includes specific provisions for American Indian and Alaska Native languages, allowing oral translations when written translations are not desired or possible. Additionally, the bill requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study on potentially reducing language minority population thresholds for translation requirements and expanding the definition of language minorities to include speakers of Arabic, French, Haitian Creole, and other languages. The legislation authorizes $15 million in appropriations to support these efforts and aims to enhance electoral accessibility for language minority communities across the United States.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (71)
Nikema Williams (D)*,
Alma Adams (D),
Gabe Amo (D),
Yassamin Ansari (D),
Wesley Bell (D),
Shontel Brown (D),
Nikki Budzinski (D),
André Carson (D),
Ed Case (D),
Sean Casten (D),
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D),
Yvette Clarke (D),
Emanuel Cleaver (D),
Jim Costa (D),
Jasmine Crockett (D),
Sharice Davids (D),
Don Davis (D),
Diana DeGette (D),
Suzan DelBene (D),
Chris Deluzio (D),
Lloyd Doggett (D),
Sarah Elfreth (D),
Adriano Espaillat (D),
Dwight Evans (D),
Cleo Fields (D),
Shomari Figures (D),
Lizzie Fletcher (D),
Chuy García (D),
Al Green (D),
Steven Horsford (D),
Jonathan Jackson (D),
Hank Johnson (D),
Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D),
Robin Kelly (D),
Raja Krishnamoorthi (D),
John Larson (D),
Summer Lee (D),
Stephen Lynch (D),
Seth Magaziner (D),
Jenn McClellan (D),
LaMonica McIver (D),
Gregory Meeks (D),
Grace Meng (D),
Kweisi Mfume (D),
Dave Min (D),
Gwen Moore (D),
Joe Morelle (D),
Seth Moulton (D),
Kevin Mullin (D),
Eleanor Holmes Norton (D),
Stacey Plaskett (D),
Mark Pocan (D),
Nellie Pou (D),
Ayanna Pressley (D),
Delia Ramirez (D),
Jamie Raskin (D),
Andrea Salinas (D),
Jan Schakowsky (D),
Bobby Scott (D),
David Scott (D),
Terri Sewell (D),
Lateefah Simon (D),
Greg Stanton (D),
Marilyn Strickland (D),
Emilia Sykes (D),
Shri Thanedar (D),
Bennie Thompson (D),
Dina Titus (D),
Rashida Tlaib (D),
Paul Tonko (D),
Marc Veasey (D),
Last Action
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (on 08/05/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4917/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/119/bills/hr4917/BILLS-119hr4917ih.pdf |
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