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S2589119th Congress

Expanding the VOTE Act

Sponsored By: Senator Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

Introduced

Summary

Expands federal language-access requirements in elections. The bill would broaden the Voting Rights Act's scope of covered materials to include digital and printed election materials, add new translation duties for States and political subdivisions including American Indian and Alaska Native languages, create a federal grant program to encourage additional translations, and require a Comptroller General study.

Show full summary
  • Voters who speak American Indian and Alaska Native languages would get stronger translation protections for ballots and other election materials when coverage applies, with specified written translation rules for election workers.
  • States and local election officials would face new notice and translation obligations and a clearer definition of tribal government roles for consent and oversight.
  • The Election Assistance Commission would run incentive grants for translations in languages that do not trigger Section 203 coverage. The program would include eligibility rules, caps on repeat grants, and $15 million authorized, and the Comptroller General would report within one year on the effects of lowering thresholds and expanding language-minority definitions.

*Authorizes $15 million in appropriations to fund the new grants program.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More voting materials in minority languages

If enacted, the bill would require covered States and local election offices to provide registration and voting materials in the minority language and in English. "Voting materials" would include printed and digital items, including ballots. A State would also be responsible when it supplies materials to a covered local office. Election workers would get written translations, unless the language is unwritten or a Tribal government declines written texts, in which case oral help is allowed. The Attorney General would have to notify jurisdictions that are close to coverage thresholds (within 1,000 people or within 0.5 percentage points).

Grants to pay for translated materials

If enacted, the Election Assistance Commission would make incentive grants to States and localities to cover reasonable costs to translate and produce voting materials for a covered language minority for an election cycle. Applicants would submit plans and assurances, including stakeholder engagement. A recipient may not get another grant for the same language group and must certify it will keep providing the translations unless the group's share drops by 0.5 percentage points. The section would be authorized at $15,000,000, available until spent.

Study on lowering language thresholds

If enacted, the Comptroller General would study the effects of lowering language-coverage thresholds to certain numeric levels (7,500; 5,000; and percentage levels 4%, 3%, 2.5%, and 2%). The study would also consider adding Arabic, French, Haitian Creole, and other languages the Comptroller General finds appropriate. A report would be due to Congress within one year of enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 7/31/2025

  • Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 7/31/2025

  • Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 7/31/2025

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 7/31/2025

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 7/31/2025

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 7/31/2025

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 7/31/2025

  • Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 7/31/2025

  • Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 7/31/2025

  • Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 7/31/2025

  • Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]

    WI • D

    Sponsored 7/31/2025

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 7/31/2025

  • Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 7/31/2025

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 7/31/2025

  • Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 7/31/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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