SB1533 would expand foreign-language support in election materials. The bill increases the number of the most commonly spoken languages in each county, other than English, that the Secretary of State must include on voters' pamphlets from five to ten. Additionally, it raises the threshold for a language to qualify for translation from 100 to 300 speakers within a county. The bill also expands the Translation Advisory Council by increasing the number of translator members.
The Oregon State Senate passed SB1533 on March 4, 2024 by a vote of 21 to 9. We have assigned pluses to the nays because promoting multilingualism at the expense of English proficiency undermines the unifying role of a common language. Our founding documents and historical texts are written in English, and effective governance relies on a shared language. This bill represents unnecessary government expansion, prioritizing language accommodations over fostering a cohesive, informed electorate. If voters cannot understand who they are voting for, it raises serious concerns about the integrity and functioning of the election process and our elected officials.
