Bengali Language Ballots in NYC: Empowering Voter Participation Among South Asians
PSC Notes
Multilingual New York: With over 200 languages spoken in NYC, it epitomizes America’s diversity. However, U.S. presidential election ballots will only be available in English, Chinese, Spanish, Korean, and Bengali.
Bengali Language Inclusion: Bengali is the sole Indian language on the ballot, mandated by law to support the growing Bengali-speaking community in NYC, specifically in areas with high South Asian population density.
Impact of Legal Mandate: The addition of Bengali to voting materials stems from a lawsuit addressing language accessibility, which required an Asian Indian language on NYC ballots. Through negotiations, Bengali was chosen.
Supporting Voter Engagement: Bengali ballots are expected to improve voter turnout and comfort, especially for older Bengali-speaking immigrants who may struggle with English, making the voting process more inclusive.
Historical Background: Bengali ballots were first introduced in 2013, following the federal government’s directive under the 1965 Voting Rights Act to enhance language assistance for South Asian minorities in NYC.
Community Benefits: According to Dr. Avinash Gupta of the Federation of Indian Associations, this language support not only encourages voting within the Bengali community but also strengthens Indian-American voices in elections.
Symbol of Representation: The availability of Bengali on ballots reflects the significance of South Asian communities in NYC, promoting greater political participation and representation among Bengali-speaking residents.