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Expanding the VOTE Act

USA119th CongressS-2589| Senate 
| Updated: 7/31/2025
Alex Padilla

Alex Padilla

Democratic Senator

California

Cosponsors (15)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Andy Kim (Democratic)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
The "Expanding the Voluntary Opportunities for Translations in Elections Act," or "Expanding the VOTE Act," aims to enhance and broaden language assistance for voters across the United States. It amends Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by explicitly defining "voting materials" to encompass both digital and printed information pertinent to the electoral process. The bill also clarifies that states providing materials to covered political subdivisions are subject to these requirements and mandates the Attorney General to notify jurisdictions that are just below the federal threshold for mandatory language assistance. The Act further refines provisions for American Indian and Alaska Native languages, allowing for oral instructions and assistance if a Tribal government indicates the language is unwritten or prefers not to have written translations. However, it mandates that written translations of all voting materials must still be provided to election workers, with Tribal consent, to ensure accuracy and uniformity. To encourage broader language access, the bill establishes an incentive grant program through the Election Assistance Commission, providing funds to states and political subdivisions to offer voting materials in languages not currently triggering Section 203 coverage. Jurisdictions receiving these grants must commit to continuing the provision of materials in subsequent election cycles, unless the minority group's population significantly declines. These grants are designed to cover reasonable costs and prevent multiple grants for the same language group. Finally, the bill directs the Comptroller General to conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of lowering the existing population and percentage thresholds for mandatory language assistance and on expanding the definition of "language minorities" to include speakers of Arabic, French, Haitian Creole, and other relevant languages, informing potential future expansions of language access.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-5326
Expanding the VOTE Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2960
Expanding the VOTE Act
Jul 31, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jul 31, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Aug 5, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-4917
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-5326
    Expanding the VOTE Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2960
    Expanding the VOTE Act


  • July 31, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 31, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.


  • August 5, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-4917
    Introduced in House

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 119-4917: Expanding the VOTE Act

Expanding the VOTE Act

USA119th CongressS-2589| Senate 
| Updated: 7/31/2025
The "Expanding the Voluntary Opportunities for Translations in Elections Act," or "Expanding the VOTE Act," aims to enhance and broaden language assistance for voters across the United States. It amends Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by explicitly defining "voting materials" to encompass both digital and printed information pertinent to the electoral process. The bill also clarifies that states providing materials to covered political subdivisions are subject to these requirements and mandates the Attorney General to notify jurisdictions that are just below the federal threshold for mandatory language assistance. The Act further refines provisions for American Indian and Alaska Native languages, allowing for oral instructions and assistance if a Tribal government indicates the language is unwritten or prefers not to have written translations. However, it mandates that written translations of all voting materials must still be provided to election workers, with Tribal consent, to ensure accuracy and uniformity. To encourage broader language access, the bill establishes an incentive grant program through the Election Assistance Commission, providing funds to states and political subdivisions to offer voting materials in languages not currently triggering Section 203 coverage. Jurisdictions receiving these grants must commit to continuing the provision of materials in subsequent election cycles, unless the minority group's population significantly declines. These grants are designed to cover reasonable costs and prevent multiple grants for the same language group. Finally, the bill directs the Comptroller General to conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of lowering the existing population and percentage thresholds for mandatory language assistance and on expanding the definition of "language minorities" to include speakers of Arabic, French, Haitian Creole, and other relevant languages, informing potential future expansions of language access.
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

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2960
Expanding the VOTE Act
Jul 31, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jul 31, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Aug 5, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-4917
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-5326
    Expanding the VOTE Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2960
    Expanding the VOTE Act


  • July 31, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 31, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.


  • August 5, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-4917
    Introduced in House
Alex Padilla

Alex Padilla

Democratic Senator

California

Cosponsors (15)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Andy Kim (Democratic)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 119-4917: Expanding the VOTE Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted