The language minority provisions of the Voting Rights Act require that when a covered state or political subdivision provides registration or voting notices, forms, instructions, assistance, or other materials or information relating to the electoral process, including ballots, it shall provide them in the language of the applicable minority group as well as in the English language. Covered language minorities are limited to American Indians, Asian Americans, Alaskan Natives, and Spanish-heritage citizens - the groups that Congress found to have faced barriers in the political process.
Understand more election terms clearly
Get one important election term explained each week, with authoritative sources, practical context and related definitions.
The language minority provisions of the Voting Rights Act require that when a covered state or political subdivision provides registration or voting notices, forms, instructions, assistance, or other materials or information relating to the electoral process, including ballots, it shall provide them in the language of the applicable minority group as well as in the English language. Covered language minorities are limited to American Indians, Asian Americans, Alaskan Natives, and Spanish-heritage citizens - the groups that Congress found to have faced barriers in the political process.
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Language Minority Citizens. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 29, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/language-minority-citizens
Sources
01
Single-source
Get the weekly election term
Receive one cited, source-backed election explanation in your inbox each week.