Mayor de Blasio, Council Speaker Johnson, Council Member Treyger and City Council Expand Interpretation Services for Election Day 2018

October 29, 2018

New Yorkers will have access to City interpreters at approximately 100 poll sites in Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island, assisting voters who speak Russian, Haitian Creole, Italian, Arabic, Polish or Yiddish

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio, Council Speaker Corey Johnson, Council Member Mark Treyger and the City Council today announced additional efforts to make voting easier for limited English proficient voters. Building upon the 2017 poll site interpretation pilot, the Administration will provide interpretation services at approximately 100 poll sites throughout Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island this Election Day, November 6, 2018.

Currently, the Board of Elections provides interpretation services in certain poll sites in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean and Bangla, as required by the Voting Rights Act. The Administration will be filling a gap across communities by providing interpretation services in the additional six most commonly spoken languages among limited English proficient eligible voters at poll sites with the greatest concentrations of these individuals. These languages are Russian, Haitian Creole, Italian, Arabic, Polish and Yiddish.

Using Census data and to ensure nonpartisanship, the City took a scientific and statistical approach when identifying poll sites in election districts with the highest needs for these services. Led by the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, this project complements efforts by the BOE to lower language barriers to voting.

“The language you speak and understand should not be a barrier to civic participation,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Voting should be an easy task, and we’re upholding that truth by identifying and filling gaps in communities where translation services are needed. Whether it’s Haitian Creole, Russian or Arabic, we’re making sure that you’ll be able to participate in our democracy no matter what language you speak.”

“We want all New Yorkers to be a part of our democracy, which is why the Council along with the de Blasio Administration is increasing access to language interpreters at polling sites. Close to 40 percent of New York residents are foreign-born, so we know there is a need for these kinds of services. I encourage all eligible New Yorkers to get out and vote this Election Day,” said Council Speaker Corey Johnson.

“Our diversity is what makes New York City so unique and special,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives J. Phillip Thompson. “This investment in interpretation services will help ensure that the language you speak is not a factor in casting your ballot, and that our diversity is reflected in our elections and government.”

“No New Yorker should be prevented from exercising her constitutional right to vote because she cannot speak English,” said Bitta Mostofi, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs. “By placing interpreters at select poll sites in languages beyond the minimum required by law, we are taking a momentous step towards full and true access to the polls for all voters, no matter how they say ‘I voted.’”

“Participating in elections is a fundamental right that we will continue protect, regardless of the language you speak,” said Chief Democracy Officer Ayirini Fonseca-Sabune. “I applaud Mayor de Blasio and the City Council for making interpretation services a priority and removing a critical barrier to voting so all New Yorkers can make their voice heard on November 6th.”

“Voting should be easy and accessible. We need to address our city’s low voter turnout and make our democracy more inclusive, particularly in communities where systemic barriers exist. I’m proud to have advocated for and secured funds for a pilot program to provide interpreters for Russian and Haitian Creole speakers at 20 poll sites in Brooklyn last year, and prouder still of working with Speaker Johnson and Mayor de Blasio to expand the program this year to include more languages, activating and empowering civic engagement amongst more New Yorkers,” said Council Member Mark Treyger.

This year, more New Yorkers from a diverse set of backgrounds will have additional tools to exercise their right to vote. The de Blasio Administration has invested $640,000 to provide interpretation services at approximately 100 poll sites identified as having the highest need for these services in Russian, Haitian Creole, Italian, Arabic, Polish and Yiddish. This investment includes the hiring of personnel through Langlo Inc., a City-certified M/WBE language services vendor. MOIA partnered with Common Cause New York to provide training and is also assisting with additional supervision.

As part of this nonpartisan effort to limit barriers to voting, MOIA and the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit partnered to analyze detailed census data. This data helped identify the top 15 languages spoken by limited English proficient New Yorkers: Russian, Haitian Creole, Italian, Polish, Arabic, Yiddish, Greek, Albanian, Tagalog, Urdu and French, in addition to the languages covered by the Voting Rights Act.

MOIA and CAU further analyzed this census data to identify the percentage of people within these populations who are 18 years or older and eligible to vote to determine where the highest need for interpretation services at poll sites exist. MOIA then selected approximately the top 100 poll sites among the top six languages, based on the availability of resources for this project.

These services will be available entirely at a voter’s voluntary discretion. Staff will be provided with a four-hour training that mirrors the BOE’s own training, including non-electioneering protocols, providing interpretation services, maintaining voter privacy, the voting process and New York City’s Election Day operations. Poll site project staff will operate at a minimum of 101 feet outside of a poll site, per BOE’s specifications, and will accompany voters into poll sites upon request. Staff will identify themselves by wearing pins with “interpreter” listed in English and the additional language they speak.

City interpreters will be available from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Election Day. In the lead up to Election Day, MOIA staff will educate communities about these services.

Last year’s pilot program has outlined the City’s work for Election Day 2018. In 2017, the poll site interpretation pilot provided interpretation services in Russian and Haitian Creole at 20 poll sites in Brooklyn.
  
“Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy and giving people the opportunity to participate in the language they are most comfortable with makes for a more informed and inclusive electorate,” said Congressman Joe Crowley. "This project will help voters who need assistance in a language other than English and will help elections officials better serve our diverse communities. I applaud the Office of Immigrant Affairs for this initiative which will help expand voter access across the city.”

“Our election system needs to be accessible to all Americans and these steps will ensure more New Yorkers may exercise their right to vote. I applaud the Mayor for working to expand interpretation services for voters who speak languages like Yiddish, Arabic, Polish and others,” said Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez.

“We as a nation are more democratic when more Americans contribute their voice and vote. Making poll sites more accessible to American citizens with limited English or who feel more comfortable in their native tongue provides a service that will bring more of our city’s diverse community into the democratic process. I commend the Mayor’s Office for providing this valuable service in our community,” said Congressman Gregory W. Meeks.

“Voting is the crown jewel of our democracy. We should be making it easier to vote, not harder. I applaud Mayor de Blasio for this important initiative and encourage all citizens to exercise their right to vote on November 6th. It is, after all, our civic duty,” said Congresswoman Yvette Clarke.
  
“Voting is one of the hallmarks of our democracy and increasing interpretation services will improve voting access for limited English proficient New Yorkers. All voters must have equal access to the polls so that they can make their voices heard. I applaud this critical initiative and I look forward to this project benefiting many New Yorkers on Election Day,” said Congresswoman Grace Meng.

“In our global borough alone, over 1.3 million people speak a language other than English at home, and we view this as an asset and source of pride. To vote is a precious right, and in an international city like New York, language must not be an impediment to exercising that right. Government has a responsibility to make voting as painless and accessible as possible. This is a boon for democracy, and Queens lauds the Mayor and City Council for this necessary expansion of interpretation services at poll sites across the City of New York,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz.

“I welcome the introduction of interpreters at 100 of our City polling sites. I support all steps that will help ensure New Yorkers can fully participate in the electoral process, regardless of their fluency in English,” said Assembly Member Helene Weinstein.

“Voting is a civic responsibility that many immigrants are eager to fulfill but often the language barrier makes it impossible,” said Assembly Member Steven Cymbrowitz. “Thank you to the Mayor and the Board of Elections for working to remove an unfair and unnecessary barrier and provide a pathway to equal representation for all New Yorkers.”

“I would like to commend Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Johnson, and Councilman Treyger for breaking down barriers when it comes to broadening the access to voting for people of diverse backgrounds who have English as a second language,” said Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte. “Like the Mayor, I have also been trying to push similar legislation, such as A00312, to make voting materials and interpreters accessible to people fluent in Haitian Creole. We look forward to working with the Mayor and the Board of Elections Department in rolling out these pole site interpretation pilots.

"One’s language should never be a barrier to civic participation in the capital of the world," said Assembly Member David I. Weprin. “As the Assembly Member who represents one of the most diverse districts in the city, I thank Mayor Bill de Blasio and Council Speaker Corey Johnson for making these efforts to ensure all New Yorkers, regardless of the language they speak, can cast a vote on Election Day.”

"Giving the opportunity to vote more accessibly is an important part of our democracy. I commend the NYC Department of Immigrant Affairs for offering interpreter service in such languages as Russian, Italian, Arabic, Haitian, Creole, Polish and Yiddish. I hope the Board of Elections will cooperate in making this project a success. It will make it easier for our citizens and at the same time encourages them to vote," said Assembly Member William Colton.

"The more accessible we make the democratic process, the more participation we witness," said Council Member Carlos Menchaca, Chair of the Committee on Immigration. "Given that voting is the most important power the people have to hold their elected officials accountable, providing interpretation at every poll site should be one of our top priorities. I commend MOIA and BOE for moving us further to this goal and plugging many of the gaps that exist."

“Every citizen deserves the access to exercise their right to vote,” said Council Member Chaim Deutsch. “A language barrier should never prevent someone from being able to engage in their most fundamental civic duty. Inclusivity goes beyond words, it’s about really practicing what we preach and putting our money where our mouth is. Kudos to Mayor de Blasio, Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Councilman Mark Treyger for ensuring that interpretation services will be available at key poll sites throughout New York City.”

"In a state and a country where many try to make it harder to vote, language cannot be another barrier. New York City recognizes this need, and we are taking positive, proactive steps to further inform the electorate and enable participation in this all-important election,” said Council Member Jumaane D. Williams.

“I want to commend Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Corey Johnson, Council Member Mark Treyger and my colleagues on the City Council for their advocacy on behalf of our non-English speaking residents. The ability to vote is an essential part of our democracy, and it is not right when registered voters are unable to participate due to language barriers at their polling sites. The expansion of interpretation services is a necessary step in New York City’s efforts to increase voter turnout, and I applaud our leadership for their commitment to this worthy cause,” saidCouncil Member Mathieu Eugene.

“Providing language access at poll sites increases participation from our vibrant immigrant communities, which will lead to higher voter turnout and greater civic engagement. This will benefit all New Yorkers, no matter what language they speak,” said Council Member Justin Brannan.

"Citizens Union applauds the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs for taking steps to protect and expand the right to vote by increasing the number of language interpreters at polling sites throughout the city. All voting-eligible New Yorkers should be able to have their voices heard, regardless of their proficiency in English. These efforts to ensure New Yorkers from diverse backgrounds are included in the electoral process will make our democracy stronger,” said Betsy Gotbaum, Executive Director of Citizens Union.

"Kudos to the Mayor for realizing that in a diverse city like New York, many voters can use help navigating complicated poll sites and ballots. There's no good reason that any voter shouldn't get the assistance they need at poll sites. This program builds on the Board of Elections existing translator program to help ensure that more voters get the help they need to cast their ballots. We're looking forward to a successful ramping up of this pilot and its expansion across the city," said NYPIRG Government Reform Coordinator Neal Rosenstein.

The full list of poll sites where the City is providing interpretation services can be found here and below:

Staten Island: 1 site

Queens: 14 sites

Brooklyn: 86 Sites