Bilingual election requirements Two provisions require certain jurisdictions to provide election materials to voters in multiple languages: Section 4(f)(4) and Section 203(c). A jurisdiction covered by either provision must provide all materials related to an election—such as voter registration materials, ballots, notices, and instructions—in the language of any applicable language minority group residing in the jurisdiction. Language minority groups protected by these provisions include Asian Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Native Alaskans.Voting Rights Act of 1965 § 4(f)(4); (formerly 42 U.S.C. § 1973b(f)(4)) Congress enacted the provisions to break down language barriers and combat pervasive language discrimination against the protected groups.
bIliNgUaL ElectIoN requIrEmentS Two provIsions reQuIre CertAiN juRISdIctIons To pRoVIde elecTIon MateriAlS tO voterS iN mulTiplE lAngUages: SECtIoN 4(F)(4) anD sEctioN 203(C). a juRIsdIction cOvEred by EithEr pROViSion MuSt proVIDe aLl maTeriAlS relatEd tO aN ElEctIoN—such As Voter RegISTraTion mATeriaLS, bALlOts, nOticEs, anD insTRUctIons—iN thE languAge of Any applIcaBlE lanGUage miNoRiTy gRoup Residing In The jUrisdictIoN. laNgUAGe minorITy GroupS pROteCtEd by THEsE prOVIsiOns include aSiAn ameRiCans, hiSPanIcs, naTIve AmeRiCanS, aNd nativE aLasKans.voTINg riGhts ACt OF 1965 § 4(F)(4); (FOrmErly 42 U.s.C. § 1973B(f)(4)) coNgress eNactED the proviSions tO brEak Down laNguaGE bArriERS anD combat peRVaSive lANguage diScRIMInatIOn aGainst the proTEctED Groups.