Voting in Your Language
You do not need to speak English to vote in New York City. If you're eligible to vote, you have the right to receive language assistance when casting your ballot. If you're registering for the first time, visit our First-Time Voters page to learn about voter eligibility and registration.
Translated Ballots and On-Site Interpreters
New York City is committed to making voting accessible for all residents. By law, ballots and other voting materials are translated into Bengali, Chinese, Korean, and Spanish at certain poll sites based on local Census Data. Additionally, the NYC Civic Engagement Commission provides on-site interpreters and language assistance in these languages and others, including Arabic, Haitian Creole, Russian, and Yiddish, at select poll sites across the city.
You can find out which poll sites offer translators in each language at the Civic Engagement Commission's website. If you require language assistance at a poll site, you have the right to bring your own interpreter, provided that person is not your employer or union representative.
For more on our efforts, read our article: Inside NYC Votes' work to make voting accessible across languages.
Before You Vote Checklist
Preparing for Election Day
- Check your voter registration status and poll site location ahead of time.
- Look up what language assistance is available at your specific polling place on the NYC Civic Engagement Commission website.
- Know your rights: You are entitled to language assistance on Election Day.
Getting language assistance at the polls
- Ask a poll worker for an on-site interpreter or bilingual poll worker in the languages supported at your poll site (Bengali, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, plus others like Arabic, Haitian Creole, Russian, and Yiddish).
- You have the right to bring someone (who is not your employer or union agent) to help translate or interpret for you.
- If language assistance is not immediately available, remind the poll worker of your right to assistance and ask for a supervisor.
Voter Language Access in NYC
Do I need to speak English to vote in NYC?
No, you do not need to speak English to vote in New York City. Your ability to speak or read English does not affect your eligibility to register or cast a ballot, as long as you meet all other standard eligibility criteria. You have the right to request and receive language assistance.
What language assistance is available at my NYC poll site?
Language assistance varies by poll site. You can receive translated ballots and voting materials in Bengali, Chinese, Korean, and Spanish. Additionally, many sites have on-site interpreters in these and other languages like Arabic, Haitian Creole, Russian, and Yiddish, provided by the NYC Civic Engagement Commission.
Can someone help me translate while I vote?
Yes, you have the right to bring someone to the poll site to help you translate or interpret, provided that person is not your employer or union agent. You can also request assistance from a poll worker or interpreter provided at the poll site.
What if my polling place doesn't offer my language?
You can still receive help and cast your vote. You can ask a poll worker for the Ballot Marking Device (BMD), which offers additional language options on-demand. Alternatively, you can always bring a person you trust to help translate for you.
Related Resources
- Check your registration status: You can find out if you're registered to vote online or by calling the NYC Board of Elections at 1-866-868-3692.
- Find your poll site: Look up your polling location and view a sample ballot through the NYC Board of Elections.
- Vote in your language: Watch a video from the NYC Civic Engagement Commission on how to vote in your preferred language.
- Understand your voting rights: Get more information about your rights as a voter, including your rights at the poll site.
