0
VOTE Act
3/26/2025, 2:08 AM
Summary of Bill HR 2054
If passed, this bill would require all states to only offer ballots in English for federal elections. States that fail to comply with this requirement would risk losing federal funding for various programs. Proponents of the bill argue that this measure would promote unity and ensure that all voters have a common language for voting.
Opponents of the bill argue that it could disenfranchise non-English speaking voters and make it more difficult for them to participate in the democratic process. They also argue that language access is a crucial aspect of ensuring equal voting rights for all citizens. Overall, the English Language Unity Act is a controversial piece of legislation that raises important questions about language access and voting rights in the United States. It remains to be seen how this bill will be received and whether it will ultimately become law.
Congressional Summary of HR 2054
Voting Only Through English Act or the VOTE Act
This bill requires states to use English-only ballots to qualify for certain federal election funds. It also repeals a prohibition on English-only federal elections and eliminates language assistance provisions under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA). (The VRA requires some jurisdictions to provide materials such as ballots and registration information in English and in other covered languages for voters whose English proficiency is limited. The bill removes these requirements.)
Specifically, the bill prohibits a state from receiving federal election administration funds if the state provides ballots for a federal election that include text in any language other than English.





