As the United States gears up for its presidential election on November 5, New York City continues to embrace its identity as a linguistic and cultural mosaic, boasting over 200 languages spoken throughout the metropolis.
In a notable move to enhance voter accessibility, officials have included Bengali as the only Indian language featured on ballot papers, alongside English and three other languages include Chinese, Spanish, and Korean.
Micheal J. Ryan, the Executive Director of the New York City Board of Elections, highlighted the importance of language accessibility in the electoral process. “We are required to service four other languages besides English. These are Chinese, Spanish, Korean, and Bengali,” he stated.
For many in the Bengali community, this change holds personal significance. The inclusion of Bengali on ballots stems from a legal settlement aimed at improving language access for voters. The journey toward Bengali-language ballots in Queens began in 2013, following a federal order under the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which mandated language assistance for South Asian minority groups.
The Bengali-speaking population in New York City, encompassing individuals from India and Bangladesh, represents a significant and vibrant part of the community. The introduction of Bengali on ballots is anticipated to encourage greater voter participation among Bengali speakers, ensuring their voices are heard in the upcoming election.
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