Survey shows Californians want ballots in more languages

Sacramento – The majority of California voters, an effort to increase the participation that support the expansion of translated votes for limited English -speaking people, A new survey was found.

This finding comes from a survey published on Monday by the UC Berkeley Institute of Government Studies in five languages ​​(English, Spanish, China, Korean and Vietnamca). More than quarter The inhabitants were born strangers.

EVELYN and Walter Haas Jr. The questionnaire for the fund found that approximately 70% of California’s registered voters agreed that limited English -speaking voters should be provided with voting. In addition to democrats and independent voters, support was strong among all age groups, races and ethnic origins. Republicans were closely divided.

“I think there is a lot of discussion about how inclusive democracy we will be as a whole in the country and the inclusion of migration, immigration rights and immigrants,” he said. “Only thinks of the problem of inclusion of different groups that feel completely American and allowed to feel completely American in our political system.”

Schickler and others, according to recent estimates, said that more than 3 million registered voters in California have defined as limited English adequacy. As of February, a little less than 23 million California was recorded to vote.

In accordance with state and federal laws, California must provide Spanish speakers with bilingual voting assistance. Nine districts – Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara – in English or Spanish, they should provide voting materials in at least one language.

Translated sample ballots and other aids should be presented in Spanish or other languages ​​in districts or regions where at least 3% of the state’s voting age is a member of a uniform minority and does not understand well enough to vote without help.

Berkeley research found that 82% of the democrats supported to provide voting materials translated to limited British voters, such as 72% of voters registered as “no party preference”. 45% of the Republicans supported supporting the translated ballots, while 42% did not give.

According to the survey, most California voters have recently prevented all limited English -speaking communities that will allow all translated versions of all voting materials that meet the minimum threshold in a district before the State Legislative Assembly.

You. The SB 266 proposed by Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) could not leave the Committee of the Senate Pays for this effect. The EU 884, a more ambitious invoice to expand access to translation ballot and materials, passed the legislature in 2024, but Gov. Vetoed by Gavin Newsom. The governor said that the bill will cost tens of millions of dollars not included in the budget, while supporting access to expanding ballot.

Rosalind Gold from the National Assni is critical to provide California voters in a state that hosts such a different voters and is known for its complex state and local votes. Latino Selected and Appointed Authorities Training Fund.

Gold, “Multi -educated and domestic -born British speakers are trying to decipher the explanation of a ballot measure and what it means to be challenging,” Gold said.

He does not go forward enough to provide sample ballot compasses and other election materials translated to voters, he said: Official voting themselves should be provided in the language preferred by a voter for those who vote by post or voting in the polls centers.

“Basically, it is hard to go back and forth between the ballot and a sample ballot or fax ballot in your mother tongue,” Gold said. “When people are able to vote for a ballot in a language where they are more familiar with, it only worsen the whole process.”

Berkeley research said that if 87% of the limited English speakers who have no access to the translated selection materials or are not sure whether they are provided, they will be higher in the future elections if 87% of them receive a ballot in their preferred language. A similar number said that this translated votes would make it easier for them to vote.

Between 2-6 June, the questionnaire searched 6,474 voters in California.