Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 245.
Introduced:Nov 3, 2025
Primary Sponsor
Amy Klobuchar
D - MN
Cosponsors
14
Quick Stats
Policy Area
Government Operations and Politics
Summary
This bill aims to expand access to voting materials for individuals with limited English proficiency. It requires the Department of Justice to notify certain states and political subdivisions that they must provide written translations of all voting materials to election workers, with the consent of any applicable tribal government. The bill also provides grants to help states and local governments offer translated voting materials.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill aims to expand access to voting materials for individuals with limited English proficiency. It requires the Department of Justice to notify certain states and political subdivisions that they must provide written translations of all voting materials to election workers, with the consent of any applicable tribal government. The bill also provides grants to help states and local governments offer translated voting materials.
Last updated: 12/29/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Expanding the Voluntary Opportunities for Translations in Elections Act or the Expanding the VOTE Act</strong></p><p>This bill expands access to voting materials for individuals with limited proficiency in the English language.</p><p>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.</p><p>Additionally, the bill requires the Election Assistance Commission to make incentive grants for states and political subdivisions to provide translated voting materials.</p><p>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 <em>language minorities</em> to include native speakers of additional languages.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Requires the Department of Justice to notify certain states and political subdivisions that they must provide written translations of all voting materials to election workers, with the consent of any applicable tribal government.
Provides grants to help states and local governments offer translated voting materials.
Directs the Government Accountability Office to study the impact of reducing the threshold requirement under the Voting Rights Act and expanding the definition of 'language minorities'.
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
If this bill becomes law, it would improve access to voting for individuals with limited English proficiency in certain states and political subdivisions. This could increase voter participation among language minority communities and ensure their voices are heard in the electoral process.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Government Operations and Politics
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
2960, 119th Congress (2025). "Deter PRC Aggression Against Taiwan Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-2960