New York City, USA: Ahead of the upcoming US presidential election, New York City has introduced Bengali on its ballot papers alongside Spanish, Chinese, and Korean.
This measure, designed to support language accessibility, aims to assist Bengali-speaking residents, many from South Asia, in better understanding and participating in the voting process.
Key Facts:
- New York ballots now support English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Bengali.
- Bengali was added in 2013 following a legal mandate for language assistance.
- This change supports Bengali-speaking voters from India and Bangladesh.
The decision stems from a legal requirement based on New York City’s population demographics and was prompted by a language-access lawsuit.
“The settlement of that lawsuit required a certain population density to have an Asian Indian language… they settled on Bengali,” said Michael J. Ryan, Executive Director of NYC’s Board of Elections.
This means Bengali-speaking voters in Queens and other neighborhoods now have access to ballots and voting materials in their native language, allowing for a more inclusive voting experience.
Residents like Subhshesh, a Bengali New Yorker, expressed relief at the addition, explaining that while he knows English, many in his community prefer voting in Bengali.
“This helps people like my father, who will feel more comfortable casting his vote,” he said.
The inclusion of Bengali on ballots in New York reflects a step toward improved accessibility in the electoral process.
By providing language support, NYC aims to make voting more inclusive for all residents, reinforcing the city's commitment to its multicultural community and enhancing democratic participation.