Elections: translation of election materials.

Plain English Breakdown

The candidate explanation included a term 'Language Minority Group' which was not supported by the official source material.

Elections: Translation of Election Materials

This law requires election officials to provide translated materials in languages other than English for areas with a significant number of limited-English proficient voters.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the Secretary of State to identify counties and political subdivisions where at least 5,000 or 5% of voting-age citizens are limited English proficient and either members of a single language minority group or speak a shared language.
• Requiring elections officials in these areas to provide translated election materials such as ballots, voter registration forms, and instructions in languages other than English.
• Ensures there are enough bilingual workers available to help voters who need it.
• Allows the Secretary of State to require translation into additional languages if evidence shows a significant need exists.

Who It Names or Affects

• Voters in counties and political subdivisions with limited-English proficient populations.
• Elections officials responsible for providing translated materials and bilingual assistance.
• The Secretary of State who will identify affected areas and set translation requirements.

Terms To Know

Limited English Proficient

People who have difficulty reading, writing, speaking, or understanding the English language.

Limits and Unknowns

• The exact costs for providing translated materials and bilingual assistance will be determined by the Commission on State Mandates.
• Local agencies may need to receive state reimbursement for additional expenses caused by this law.
• This bill has passed both chambers of the California Legislature but its final approval and implementation details are still pending.

Official Summary Text

SB 1360, as amended, Cervantes.
Elections: translation of election materials.
The federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 requires a state or political subdivision in which more than 5% of voting-age citizens, or more than 10,000 voting-age citizens, are members of a single language minority and limited-English proficient to provide certain election materials, including ballots, in the language of the applicable language minority group. Existing state law requires the Secretary of State to determine for each county and precinct whether it is appropriate to provide facsimile copies of the ballot and other election materials in languages other than English. If the Secretary of State determines the number of voting age residents in a county or precinct who are members of a single language minority, and who lack sufficient skills in English to vote without assistance, is 3% or more of the voting-age residents of the county or precinct, county elections officials must
provide facsimile ballots and other election materials in the applicable language.
This bill would require the Secretary of State, on or before December 15, 2028, and on or before December 15 in every year ending in 1 or 6 thereafter, to identify the counties
and other political subdivisions
where at least 5,000 voting age citizens, or 5% of voting age citizens, are limited English proficient and either members of a single language minority group or speak a shared language. The bill would require the elections official in an identified political subdivision to provide translated election materials in any language that meets those criteria or, for an election occurring before December 15, 2028, in any language in which the political subdivision is required to provide language assistance under the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The elections official would be required to translate, among
other things, all official and sample ballots, voter registration forms, and election notices and instructions. The elections official would also be required to have a sufficient number of bilingual election workers to provide language assistance to any voter who needs it.
If the Secretary of State or another state agency provides election-related forms, instructions, assistance, or other materials or services in an identified political subdivision, the bill would require the Secretary of State or other state agency to translate the materials or services into any language that meets the criteria within that political subdivision. The bill would also authorize the Secretary of State to require a political subdivision to provide translated election materials in any language that does not meet the above-described criteria, if interested citizens or entities provide the Secretary of State with a preponderance of evidence that a significant need exists for translation
into that language.
The bill would also make various conforming changes. By increasing the duties of local elections officials, the bill would create a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF