Committee on House Administration, Judiciary Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
The "Voting Only Through English Act" (VOTE Act) proposes significant changes to federal election administration by penalizing states that offer multilingual ballots. Specifically, it stipulates that any state providing ballots for federal office with text in a language other than English will become ineligible to receive federal funds intended for election administration. This ineligibility would apply for any fiscal year during which such multilingual ballots are used, explicitly overriding provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and other laws. Furthermore, the bill seeks to amend Section 4(f) of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by striking key paragraphs (1), (3), and (4), which currently mandate or permit certain jurisdictions to provide election materials in languages other than English. The overall intent is to establish English as the sole language for federal election ballots across all states.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Government Operations and Politics
VOTE Act
USA119th CongressHR-2054| House
| Updated: 3/11/2025
The "Voting Only Through English Act" (VOTE Act) proposes significant changes to federal election administration by penalizing states that offer multilingual ballots. Specifically, it stipulates that any state providing ballots for federal office with text in a language other than English will become ineligible to receive federal funds intended for election administration. This ineligibility would apply for any fiscal year during which such multilingual ballots are used, explicitly overriding provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and other laws. Furthermore, the bill seeks to amend Section 4(f) of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by striking key paragraphs (1), (3), and (4), which currently mandate or permit certain jurisdictions to provide election materials in languages other than English. The overall intent is to establish English as the sole language for federal election ballots across all states.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.