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NYC includes Bengali on 2024 election ballots for greater inclusivity
Bengali joins Spanish, Chinese, and Korean in New York’s multilingual ballot initiative.
People vote during the 2024 U.S. presidential election on Election Day, at a community center in College Park, Georgia, U.S., November 5, 2024. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez / Reuters
New York City included Bengali among the four non-English languages on the ballot paper for the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
This move recognizes the city’s significant Bangladeshi population and aims to make voting more accessible to Bengali-speaking residents. Bengali joins Spanish, Chinese, and Korean in a targeted approach to address language barriers for some of New York’s most linguistically diverse communities.
The decision aligns with the New York City Board of Elections’ long-standing initiative to provide ballots in languages spoken by large populations, helping voters engage more effectively in the democratic process. By addressing language needs, officials hope to promote inclusivity and increase voter turnout among immigrant populations.
Language Inclusion Based on Population Demographics and Voting Rights Act
The selection process for ballot languages in New York City considered factors such as demographic data and legal requirements under the federal Voting Rights Act (VRA). The VRA mandates that local jurisdictions provide language support for voters in communities with significant non-English-speaking populations. This ensures that minority groups are not excluded from understanding and participating in elections.
The New York City Board of Elections evaluated census data to identify language needs, as The New York Times reported. The city’s Bangladeshi population has grown substantially over the past decade, especially in neighborhoods such as Jackson Heights and Jamaica in Queens. By introducing Bengali to the ballot, New York aims to address the specific linguistic needs of this community and to prevent language from becoming a barrier to civic participation.
The Bengali-speaking community is particularly active in areas with large immigrant populations, where language support is essential. According to the Asian American Federation, New York City’s Bengali-speaking population has increased rapidly, and many of its members remain more comfortable reading in Bengali than in English.
Expanding Access to Boost Voter Engagement
Advocates for multilingual ballots see this measure as an essential step in promoting political inclusivity. “This step will allow Bengali-speaking voters to engage more fully in elections and understand ballot initiatives clearly,” said a spokesperson from the New York City Board of Elections.
Language accessibility in voting materials is linked to higher turnout, as indicated by studies conducted on multilingual voting initiatives. These studies show that communities with ballots available in native languages tend to participate in greater numbers, which strengthens overall democratic representation.
Language barriers in voting have long been an issue for many immigrant communities, and the inclusion of Bengali addresses concerns raised by community organizations. According to media reports, community leaders in Jackson Heights and surrounding areas lobbied for this change, citing the challenges faced by elderly Bengali-speaking residents who struggle with English.
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