New York, NY – More than 200 languages are spoken in New York City, reaffirming its reputation as America’s melting pot. However, for the upcoming U.S. presidential elections, ballots will only be available in four additional languages besides English: Chinese, Spanish, Korean, and notably, Bengali.
As voters prepare to cast their ballots on Tuesday for the 47th President of the United States, Bengali speakers are particularly pleased with the inclusion of their language on the voting materials. Micheal J. Ryan, Executive Director of the Board of Elections in NYC, emphasized the legal requirement behind this decision. “We are required to service four other languages besides English, including Bengali as one of the Asian languages,” Ryan explained.
Subhshesh, a sales agent in Times Square with Bengali roots, expressed his satisfaction at the linguistic support available to his father, who resides in Queens. “People like me know English, but many in our community are more comfortable in their native language. This assistance at the polling station will be appreciated,” he stated. “I’m sure my father will like seeing a Bengali language ballot paper.”
The inclusion of Bengali is not merely a courtesy; it stems from a legal obligation for New York City to provide voting materials in specific languages at designated polling sites. This mandate extends beyond just ballot papers to encompass other essential voting materials, ensuring comprehensive support for Bengali-speaking voters.
Ryan elaborated on the background of this decision, noting, “There was a lawsuit about language access, and given the diverse languages in India, the settlement mandated that within certain population densities, an Asian Indian language must be offered. Through negotiations, Bengali was chosen.” The first translated ballots for the South Asian community appeared in 2013, following a federal order for New York City to provide language assistance to South Asian minorities under the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
The Bengali-speaking population in New York City includes individuals from India and Bangladesh. While Bengali does not encompass all the languages spoken in the region, its inclusion is expected to significantly enhance voter participation among Bengali speakers.
Dr. Avinash Gupta, President of the Federation of Indian Associations, commented on the positive impact of the Bengali ballots. “This will help the Indian population engage in the voting process. It’s essential for our voices to be heard. We are a sizable population, and it’s encouraging to see Indians participating in elections and even running for office,” he said.
As New Yorkers head to the polls, the availability of Bengali ballots reflects both the city’s diversity and the ongoing commitment to inclusive democracy.
