Bilingual Voters

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BILINGUAL VOTERS AND ACCESS TO THE POLLS

There are many misconceptions about the rights of bilingual voters in the United States as a whole and in Wisconsin in particular.  While proficiency in English is required to become a naturalized citizen, natural born citizens face no such restriction and there is no blanket federal legislation declaring English to be the "official" language. On the contrary, bilingual voters have strong and specific rights at the polling place. In the state of Wisconsin there is no legal requirement that a voter be able to demonstrate proficiency with English at the polls.

In every legislative session since 1985 advocates of "English as the official language" movement have backed bills to eliminate statewide bilingual access to the polls.  Each year the bill has either failed to leave committee or failed a floor vote.  While you have the right to vote without being forced to demonstrate proficiency in English, there is no county in the state of Wisconsin that is required by federal law to provide bilingual ballots, translation services or voter information.

A number of counties in Wisconsin (11, as of 2002) have passed resolutions declaring English as the official language.  While these proposals limit access to county government, the state oversees polling places and election activities.  Voters in every county in Wisconsin should be allowed to vote so long as they are registered.  While the state election board provides translated documents, no county or city is required to offer those documents in county offices or at polling places.  The city of Milwaukee does so voluntarily.  This is not uncommon but it is done on a city by city basis.  The Milwaukee Election Commission can provide information for voters interested in bilingual access to the polls.

RIGHTS GRANTED BY FEDERAL LAW:

  • The Voting Rights Act of 1965 banned discrimination at the polls on the basis of literacy tests.

CITY OF MILWAUKEE

  • Milwaukee makes available translated voter registration and absentee ballot forms for voter registration drives.  The city also supplies these forms to polling places on election day.
  • According to the Milwaukee Election Commission, a voter may bring to the polls any translator they require.  The translator does not need to be a registered voter.  

The state does provide Spanish and Hmong voter registration and absentee ballot forms.  These forms may not be available to all county clerks but can be found by contacting the state elections board or the Milwaukee Election Commission.

WISCONSIN STATE ELECTIONS BOARD:

CITY OF MILWAUKEE ELECTION COMMISSION * Phone:1-414-286-3491

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