ACCESS Act

House Bill

H.R. 5295

119th Congress

ACCESS Act

In Committee

Introduced:Sep 11, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Julia Brownley

Representative

Democratic

CA-26

Cosponsors

115

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Summary

The ACCESS Act aims to expand access to voting materials for individuals with limited English proficiency. It would require the Department of Justice to notify certain states and local governments that they must provide translated voting materials, and it would provide grants to help cover the costs of these translations.

Latest Action

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The ACCESS Act aims to expand access to voting materials for individuals with limited English proficiency. It would require the Department of Justice to notify certain states and local governments that they must provide translated voting materials, and it would provide grants to help cover the costs of these translations.

Last updated: 12/29/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Expanding the Voluntary Opportunities for Translations in Elections Act or the Expanding the VOTE ActThis bill expands access to voting materials for individuals with limited proficiency in the English language.Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) requires covered states and political subdivisions to provide voting materials and other language assistance to persons who are American Indian, Asian American, Alaskan Natives, or of Spanish heritage and whose ability to speak or understand English limits electoral participation. A state or political subdivision that is subject to Section 203 is prohibited from providing English-only voting materials in an election. Among other requirements, this bill (1) requires the Department of Justice to issue a notice of prohibition, including the trigger threshold at which the prohibition applies, to certain states and political subdivisions; and (2) requires covered states and political subdivisions to provide written translations of all voting materials, with the consent of any applicable tribal government, to election workers.Additionally, the bill requires the Election Assistance Commission to make incentive grants for states and political subdivisions to provide translated voting materials.The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office to study and report on the impact of (1) reducing the threshold requirement under Section 203 of the VRA, and (2) expanding the definition of language minorities to include native speakers of additional languages.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Requires the Department of Justice to notify states and local governments that they must provide translated voting materials for voters with limited English proficiency
Mandates that covered states and local governments provide written translations of all voting materials, with the consent of any applicable tribal government
Establishes a grant program through the Election Assistance Commission to help states and local governments pay for translated voting materials
Directs the Government Accountability Office to study the impact of reducing the threshold for language assistance and expanding the definition of 'language minorities'

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This bill would directly impact voters with limited English proficiency, making it easier for them to access and understand voting materials. It could lead to more translations being available in a wider range of languages, improving political participation and civic engagement for these communities.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Related Subjects

Alaska Natives and Hawaiians

Congressional oversight

Elections, voting, political campaign regulation

Foreign language and bilingual programs

Government studies and investigations

State and local government operations

Voting rights

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

5295, 119th Congress (2025). "ACCESS Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-5295