DeKalb voters can access materials and ballots in multiple languages
Officials with DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections said they are making the May 24 primary election as accessible as possible by translating voter materials into multiple languages.
DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) made history in 2020 by becoming the first Georgia county to translate voter materials in Spanish and Korean voluntarily. “Expanding access to information for Limited English Proficient (LEP) communities has allowed county officials to share important information about voting options while also providing a composite ballot in the two additional languages,” stated officials.
In partnership with two organizations advocating for Asian and Latino communities—Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta and GALEO—DeKalb VRE is offering translated materials with information on the upcoming May 24 primary election and plans to continue translations through the runoff cycle and the November General Election.
“Every voter should be heard, no matter what language they speak,” said Phi Nguyen, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta. “We applaud DeKalb County for paving the way for increased language access for Georgia voters and are pleased that other counties are following their example. We look forward to continuing to push for greater access for all of our diverse communities.”
Ramses Jimenez, a community organizer for GALEO stated, “As we continue to fight for accessibility for non-English speakers in Georgia, we are excited to partner with DeKalb County to ensure all voters are educated and informed. Society has ignored the marginalized voices for far too long, and we are excited to be part of the change.”
The translation of complex voting materials requires coordination among many people, partners, and advocates, stated DeKalb VRE officials.
“I’m thrilled to see DeKalb VRE once again embracing our diverse community and taking the extra step to ensure our non-English speaking residents are able to execute their constitutional right to vote,” said Commissioner Larry Johnson, who helped spearhead the translation efforts in 2020. “It’s important that all eligible voters in DeKalb have access to voting and elections information.”
Before translated materials are shared with the public, DeKalb VRE’s community partners conduct a review for accuracy and cultural sensitivity, officials stated.
“We’re currently engaging with our communities to learn more about what types of tools people need, so we can ensure all voters in DeKalb feel informed and inspired to get out there and vote,” said Dele Lowman Smith, board chair for DeKalb County VRE. “We are committed to the voters of DeKalb County and look forward to expanding our translation program in the future.”
To access the voter information and sample composite ballots in Spanish and Korean and to learn more about DeKalb VRE, visit www.DeKalbVotes.com.
