Los Angeles County has marked a major milestone in its commitment to inclusive democracy: 50 years since Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act mandated multilingual ballot materials and language support for eligible voters. According to the Santa Monica Daily Press (SMDP), the anniversary was celebrated at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center under the theme “We Speak Your Language: 50 Years of Language Access and Empowerment.”

A Landmark in Voting Rights

Signed into law on August 6, 1975, Section 203 expanded the original Voting Rights Act of 1965, requiring jurisdictions with significant language-minority populations to provide election materials in those languages. For Los Angeles County, one of the most linguistically diverse regions in the United States, the provision has become a cornerstone of electoral access.

In the SMDP article, Dean C. Logan, Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, emphasized the enduring importance of this mandate:

“Language access is fundamental to fair and inclusive elections. Every eligible voter should have the opportunity to cast their ballot with confidence and in the language they understand.”

Setting a National Standard

Today, Los Angeles County offers election materials in English and 18 additional languages, more than any other jurisdiction in the country. This extensive program covers sample ballots, Vote-By-Mail materials, in-person bilingual assistance, and audio ballots, ensuring accessibility for voters across communities. The County also works closely with a Language Accessibility Advisory Committee, made up of community leaders and advocates, to improve services and respond to evolving needs.

Voters can request multilingual materials by calling the Bilingual Assistance Hotline at 1-800-815-2666 (option 3) or visiting LAVOTE.gov. The County’s Vote Centers provide in-person bilingual staff, and its interactive sample ballot system offers a customizable voting experience in multiple languages.

A Broader Vision for Democracy

Hilda L. Solis, Los Angeles County Board Chair Pro Tem and First District Supervisor, noted in the SMDP article that language equity is integral to democratic participation:

“The Voting Rights Act of 1965, with its amendment to Section 203 in 1975, affirms that language, like race, must never be used to deny someone their voice in our democracy.”

While the anniversary celebrates decades of progress, it also underscores the ongoing need to safeguard and expand language access—particularly as demographic changes, technology shifts, and political pressures challenge electoral systems. Los Angeles County’s approach offers a model for other jurisdictions, demonstrating that multilingual communication is not only a service, but a democratic right.