Don’t Let Language Barriers Stop You From Voting!

Based on many of our peers around the world, we are lucky to live in a democratic nation where freedom of choice is our basic human right. On an even smaller scale, we live in a city that is a melting pot of ethnicities, cultures and races so it’s important that no one is hindered when they go to cast their votes. In 2006 federal legislation passed, extending the minority language provisions of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965, which meant that any county with more than 10,000 residents whose native language is not English and who have indicated on their U.S. Census form a lack of proficiency in English, is required to provide election materials in the identified languages. Los Angeles County currently requires that ballots and election materials be available in English, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Cambodian/Khmer, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog/Filipino, Thai, and Vietnamese. 

In fact, Paragon was part of the team that ensured that people of all languages were aware of and able to participate in the 2010 Census. This year’s presidential election is definitely one for the books, so no matter your language, make sure your voice is heard.  See you at the polls!

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