HR 2054
VOTE Act
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- Passed House
- Passed Senate
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- Became Law
Bill overview
The VOTE Act changes how states receive federal election funds. It requires states to use only English on ballots for federal elections in order to qualify for these funds. The bill also removes a previous restriction that prohibited states from holding exclusively English-language elections and eliminates language assistance requirements under the Voting Rights Act. This effectively prioritizes English-only ballots for federal elections.
Key provisions
- States must use English-only ballots for federal elections.
- States receiving federal election administration funds must use only English on ballots.
- The Voting Rights Act is amended to remove requirements for language assistance.
- A prohibition on English-only federal elections is repealed.
- Paragraphs (1), (3), and (4) of Section 4(f) of the Voting Rights Act are removed.
- Section 4(f) of the Voting Rights Act is amended to remove the word ‘No’.
Who is affected
- States
- Federal Election Administration
- Voters who do not speak English proficiently
- Election officials
Notable changes
- Eliminates language assistance requirements under the Voting Rights Act.
- Requires all ballots for federal elections to be in English.
- Reverses a previous prohibition on exclusively English-language elections.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Doug LaMalfa
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 2054
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To provide that States that provide for an election for Federal office that include text in any language other than English are ineligible to receive certain Federal funds, and for other purposes.
This act may be cited as the Voting Only Through English Act VOTE Act
or the
.
Notwithstanding the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.) or any other provision of law, a State shall be ineligible to receive Federal funds provided for purposes of the administration of elections for Federal office for any fiscal year during which the State provides ballots for an election for Federal office that include text in any language other than English.
Section 4(f) of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10303(f)) is amended—
by striking paragraphs (1), (3), and (4); and
by striking (2) No
and inserting No
.