Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos and New American Community Leaders Launch Voter Accessibility and Education Pilot Project for Non-English Speaking Voters

February 24 2020

Montpelier, VT – Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos, alongside community leaders who work with Vermont’s New American communities, has launched a voter accessibility and education pilot project in Burlington and Winooski for voters with limited or no English proficiency.

The project’s three components include education forums, in Burlington and Winooski, translated sample ballots in six languages, and a series of educational videos on how to register and vote interpreted in six languages.

“The right to vote for every U.S. citizen, born or naturalized, is a sacred right, enshrined in our Constitution,” said Secretary Condos. “I’m proud of the work my office has done breaking down barriers for eligible voters to register and cast their ballots. Ensuring equitable access to the ballot box for non-English speaking voters is the next logical step.”

The videos and sample ballots have been provided in Arabic, Burmese, French, Nepali, Somali, and Swahili through professional translators and interpreters at the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI).

The translated sample ballots will be provided to voters at the polls on election day and can be obtained in advance. The sample ballots will be used for comprehension only. All voters, regardless of language spoken, will vote on the non-translated official ballot, ensuring that ballots cast are otherwise indistinguishable, and cannot be used to connect ballot selections to individual voters.

“As a second generation American, I think my grandparents would be proud of the work we’re doing to ensure eligible New American voters have the tools necessary to make their voices heard in our democratic process,” said Secretary Condos.

Mohamed Jafar, a member of Burlington’s Board for Registration of Voters who works at the polls on election day, contacted the Secretary of State’s Elections Division in 2018 after observing non-English speaking voters experiencing difficulties exercising their right to vote.

"I am of the belief that the onus falls on us to take the steps necessary to educate and welcome new communities to our democracy,” said Mohamed Jafar. “Voting is sacred, and a privilege not given to all. When we extend the invite and situate more chairs around the table, it is a reminder that here, everyone has a voice. I am humbled by Vermont’s progressive and candid response to the need for accessibility in our democracy and even more so humbled by the Secretary’s commitment to a democracy that is more than just a word."

Two voter education events in Burlington and Winooski were held on January 25^th, and February 8^th. The events were designed to familiarize future voters with the voter registration and voting process. Burlington Assistant City Clerk Amy Bovee and Winooski City Clerk Carol Barrett were on-site to help eligible voters register.

Interpreters assisted in relaying information or interpreting speaking portions of the event.

Speakers included Secretary Condos, USCRI Vermont Director Amila Merdzanovic, Winooski Deputy Mayor and State Representative Hal Colston, State Representative Diana Gonzalez, Burlington City Councilor Ali Dieng and Mohamed Jafar.

“USCRI Vermont is proud to be a part of this historic effort led by the Secretary of State and the cities of Burlington and Winooski, that recognizes the importance of giving every Vermonter who is eligible to vote the ability to do so in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner,” said USCRI Vermont Director Amila Merdzanovic.

Following the slate of speakers, Burlington Board for Registration of Voters member Anna (Annie) Schneider, Barbara (Barb) Prine, and Vermont Director of Elections Will Senning provided a step-by-step instructional presentation on the voter registration and voting process.

The educational videos, filmed and edited by CCTV Productions, can be found on the Secretary of State’s website at https://sos.vermont.gov/elections/voters/.

Translated sample ballots are available now for Vermont’s Presidential Primary Elections, from the Burlington and Winooski city clerks.

A steering committee led by Barb Prine, Mohamed Jafar, Maree Oddoux, and Annie Schneider worked alongside Vermont Secretary of State’s office staff members Will Senning and Lori Bjornlund, and a diverse group of language experts, community leaders, and volunteers, to translate the sample ballots, conduct event outreach, and create the videos.

“I want to thank the many partners and advocates who brought my office in to the conversation, and who have worked with my office to make this project happen, alongside the volunteers and community leaders who participated in the videos, provided valuable input, and helped get the word out about the event,” Secretary Condos stated.

“Lastly, I like to remind every American that your vote is your voice. See you at the polls!”