Summary

A recent study of California election data shows that Limited English Proficient (LEP) people turn out to vote at higher rates in precincts that provide ballots in their preferred languages.

The study, Assessing Multilingual Language Material Usage and Impact Through Administrative Data,1 shows that in 2020, more than one million registered voters in California confirmed to state or local officials that they preferred election materials in a language other than English. This accounts for nearly 40 percent of eligible LEP voters in California who are part of language groups2 covered by state or federal language assistance laws, though the exact rate varies by language group. Counties that provided multilingual ballots had 7 to 14 percent higher voter turnout than counties without such language assistance. This effect holds even in counties that only provided translated sample ballots rather than translated votable ballots.

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The popularity of multilingual ballots shows that they are not merely symbolic offerings but a critical tool to empower more eligible voters to participate in our democracy.

The high uptake demonstrates that multilingual ballots are not merely symbolic offerings but a critical tool to empower more eligible voters to participate in our democracy. Other research suggests that language assistance also creates a more inclusive environment that benefits even English-proficient voters who don’t request translated voting materials.

These findings are significant because, historically, language barriers have suppressed turnout among voters of color, especially Latino and Asian American people. The two groups represent a majority of all U.S. immigrant eligible voters — naturalized citizens who are over 18.

Of course, more can be done to align the political power of voters of color with their population size. These voters represented a majority (55 percent) of the state’s eligible voters. Yet voter turnout for Latino (55 percent), Asian (60 percent), and Black (64 per- cent) Californians trailed that of the state’s white residents (75 percent), according to an analysis of census data by the Latino Policy and Politics Institute.3

The data from California presents a compelling case that language assistance helps increase electoral participation. Going forward, multilingual election policies should improve and build on what exists in California. For example, while the state provides multilingual ballot assistance under both federal and state law, languages such as Haitian Creole remain uncovered, and Arabic currently receives coverage in only two counties (Fresno and San Diego). In Los Angeles County, 123 precincts have enough Arabic speakers to qualify for multilingual ballots under state law population thresholds, but the language remains uncovered in the county. This is because California generally follows federal language assistance guidelines, which cover only Spanish, Asian, and American Indian and Alaska Native languages. However, state law gives the secretary of state discretion to cover other languages.

This policy brief will summarize findings from the study of California’s election data showing how often different language groups requested multilingual ballots. The study shows that counties with multilingual ballot help often had higher voter turnout in 2020 than counties without language help. The brief concludes with a list of policy recommendations.

Read The Impact of Language Assistance on Voter Turnout: Lessons from California