Philadelphia County Is Pennsylvania’s Only County Required to Provide Chinese Voting Materials: Chinese American Voters May Bring a Helper on November 3
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania: With the November 3 election days away, attention is returning to Chinese-language voting assistance for Philadelphia’s Chinese American voters. Under Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act, counties where a single language minority group reaches a set size must provide voting information and assistance in that language. The Pennsylvania Department of State’s website states plainly that Philadelphia County is currently the only county in the state required to provide voting materials and assistance in Chinese, while Berks, Lehigh and Philadelphia counties must provide them in Spanish.
A voter-rights guide published by Philadelphia-area media on October 29 adds that voters may bring one person to assist them at the polls, as long as that person is not their employer, a union representative or a judge of elections. Voters who need assistance may be asked to sign a declaration, which is available in Spanish, traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese and Vietnamese. Local Asian American community groups have also reminded Philadelphia’s Chinese American voters that they may request Chinese interpretation help at polling places.
Mail ballots must arrive at the county election office or an official drop location by 8 p.m. on November 3; late ballots may not be counted. Voters unsure about their registration status, polling place or sample ballot can check through the Philadelphia City Commissioners’ website ahead of election day.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 资料图：费城市政厅（固定图库 cities 包）
