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By Al-Sharif Nassef
This month, the Pennsylvania Department of State announced that key voting documents, including voter registration forms and vote-by-mail applications, will be available in nine additional languages. This goes well beyond the current requirement of voting materials availability in three languages in the Commonwealth, as mandated by the historic Voting Rights Act.
This step from the Pennsylvania Department of State potentially enfranchises up to 251,701 eligible Pennsylvania voters who are limited in English proficiency (according to the US Census). It expands access to a lifetime of political engagement for New Americans. County election officials now have new tools to better enable them to uphold the fundamental right for all Americans, and counties should be proactive in making these materials available for the voters in their area.
In August of this year, a diverse coalition of over 65 organizations from across Pennsylvania joined advocacy efforts to empower marginalized New Americans at the ballot box by calling for these resources from the state. As the fastest-growing voter population in Pennsylvania, New Americans are pivotal voices in shaping the 2024 election and beyond. With ballot access forms available in Nepali, Korean, Arabic, Bengali, Italian, Russian, Gujarati, French, and Cambodian/Khmer, we see New American communities welcomed into the fabric of our democracy, as they always should be.
While we uplift this important step forward, we must be ever-more vigilant about rampant disinformation that threatens to undermine efforts to uphold the voting rights of New Americans. Election deniers in Pennsylvania and across the country have amplified false claims about immigrants and voting. Put simply, these lies are racist – directly targeting American citizens based on their heritage, their linguistic background, or the colors of their skin. This misinformation is not only dangerous because it sets the stage for frivolous challenges to election results, but it also unjustly targets immigrant communities, casting baseless suspicion on their participation in civic life and further alienating them.
Let’s be clear: ballots being cast unlawfully is extraordinarily rare. Our coalition works closely with election officials to ensure that Pennsylvania’s electoral process is verifiably secure, with layers of protection in place to ensure that only eligible citizens can register and vote. Efforts to expand access—such as translating voter materials—are about empowering eligible voters, not undermining the process. It’s deeply unfortunate that some are distorting these efforts by spreading lies designed to disenfranchise and intimidate communities already vulnerable to exclusion.
We call on Pennsylvanians to reject these harmful narratives and stand united in defending our democracy. Election security and voter access are not opposing forces—they are complementary pillars of a healthy, vibrant democracy. Expanding language access strengthens our electoral system by making it inclusive of all eligible voters. This is not about convenience. It’s about upholding the democratic principle that every eligible voter must be empowered to participate, no matter the languages we know best. Our fundamental rights in democracy do not discriminate against voters for the languages we speak and our democracy is strongest when all of us have a voice. Expanding access to voting materials is a vital step in making sure that happens.
Now, it’s time to ensure that all Pennsylvania voters are aware of these newly available materials and that they can access them easily. Whether you’re a community leader, organizer, or simply a concerned citizen, we urge you to spread the word. The Department of State has listened to the voices of the people and responded with concrete action. Let’s build on this momentum and ensure that no voter is left behind.
Al-Sharif Nassef is Pennsylvania Senior Campaign Manager for voting rights organization All Voting is Local