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Expanding the VOTE Act

USA118th CongressS-2960| Senate 
| Updated: 9/27/2023
Amy Klobuchar

Amy Klobuchar

Democratic Senator

Minnesota

Cosponsors (14)
Dianne Feinstein (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Laphonza R. Butler (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Rules and Administration Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Expanding the Voluntary Opportunities for Translations in Elections Act or the Expanding the VOTE Act This bill expands access to voting materials for individuals with limited proficiency in the English language. Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) requires covered states and political subdivisions to provide voting materials and other language assistance to persons who are American Indian, Asian American, Alaskan Natives, or of Spanish heritage and whose ability to speak or understand English limits electoral participation. A state or political subdivision that is subject to Section 203 is prohibited from providing English-only voting materials in an election. Among other requirements, this bill (1) requires the Department of Justice to issue a notice of prohibition, including the trigger threshold at which the prohibition applies, to certain states and political subdivisions; and (2) requires covered states and political subdivisions to provide written translations of all voting materials, with the consent of any applicable tribal government, to election workers. Additionally, the bill requires the Election Assistance Commission to make incentive grants for states and political subdivisions to provide translated voting materials. The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office to study and report on the impact of (1) reducing the threshold requirement under Section 203 of the VRA, and (2) expanding the definition of language minorities to include native speakers of additional languages.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-5326
Expanding the VOTE Act
Aug 25, 2023

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 118-5295
Introduced in House
Sep 27, 2023
Introduced in Senate
Sep 27, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-5326
    Expanding the VOTE Act


  • August 25, 2023

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 118-5295
    Introduced in House


  • September 27, 2023
    Introduced in Senate


  • September 27, 2023
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 118-5295: Expanding the VOTE Act

Expanding the VOTE Act

USA118th CongressS-2960| Senate 
| Updated: 9/27/2023
Expanding the Voluntary Opportunities for Translations in Elections Act or the Expanding the VOTE Act This bill expands access to voting materials for individuals with limited proficiency in the English language. Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) requires covered states and political subdivisions to provide voting materials and other language assistance to persons who are American Indian, Asian American, Alaskan Natives, or of Spanish heritage and whose ability to speak or understand English limits electoral participation. A state or political subdivision that is subject to Section 203 is prohibited from providing English-only voting materials in an election. Among other requirements, this bill (1) requires the Department of Justice to issue a notice of prohibition, including the trigger threshold at which the prohibition applies, to certain states and political subdivisions; and (2) requires covered states and political subdivisions to provide written translations of all voting materials, with the consent of any applicable tribal government, to election workers. Additionally, the bill requires the Election Assistance Commission to make incentive grants for states and political subdivisions to provide translated voting materials. The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office to study and report on the impact of (1) reducing the threshold requirement under Section 203 of the VRA, and (2) expanding the definition of language minorities to include native speakers of additional languages.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-5326
Expanding the VOTE Act
Aug 25, 2023

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 118-5295
Introduced in House
Sep 27, 2023
Introduced in Senate
Sep 27, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-5326
    Expanding the VOTE Act


  • August 25, 2023

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 118-5295
    Introduced in House


  • September 27, 2023
    Introduced in Senate


  • September 27, 2023
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Amy Klobuchar

Amy Klobuchar

Democratic Senator

Minnesota

Cosponsors (14)
Dianne Feinstein (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Laphonza R. Butler (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Rules and Administration Committee

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 118-5295: Expanding the VOTE Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted