Advancing Justice - LA is proud to advocate for the rights of voters and election policies through the Voting Rights Project. The Voting Rights Project focuses on language access and voter protection.
Language Access
Many AANHPI voters are limited English proficient (LEP) or face other barriers to voting. In some Asian American communities, over 50 percent of voters rely on some form of language assistance to vote. Through education, advocacy, and litigation, Advancing Justice-LA ensures that counties and cities provide written and oral assistance in certain Asian languages, as required by laws such as Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act. For example, during major elections, Advancing Justice-LA works with individual volunteers and community-based organizations to monitor poll sites for Section 203 compliance.
Tools for Community-Based Organizations
The Voting Rights Project has created several tools for community-based organizations to use to educate their community members about the voting process. Tools include factsheets explaining online voter registration available in eight languages in California, language assistance at the polls, and the eligibility of lawful permanent residents to serve as poll workers. In 2016, Advancing Justice-California created "Know Your Voting Rights" flyers in thirteen languages. Organizations can also find sample educational flyers to be posted in community spaces.
Visit the Voting Rights Tools and Resources page to access factsheets, "Know Your Voting Rights" flyers and other sample flyers.
Tools for Elections Officials
The Voting Rights Project has developed resources and best practices for elections officials to implement in order to serve LEP voters. Over the years, the Voting Rights Project has actively participated in local community advisory committees and informed elections administrators on the importance of providing accessible language assistance for all voters.
Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) Poll Workers
Advancing Justice-LA created an informational packet for elections officials regarding the benefits to having LPR poll workers. The packet includes tips to recruiting LPR poll workers and first hand experiences from LPR poll workers in the June 2016 election.
Bilingual Poll Worker Recruitment List
Language Access Best Practices
Along with Advancing Justice-ALC and NALEO, Advancing Justice-LA created Language Access Best Practices memoranda for counties with language access requirements under federal and state laws. These documents have been distributed to various southern California election officials.
Language Access Best Practices: both federal and state laws
Language Access Best Practices: state law only
Voter Protection
Advancing Justice-LA advocates on other issues affecting voting rights and access to the polls, such as voter registration, voting machines, identification requirements, and election structures that dilute the impact of underserved communities’ votes. The Voting Rights Project works to promote democratic participation by politically marginalized communities.
Redistricting
Every 10 years, following the decennial census, electoral districts from the city to the congressional level are redrawn. Through the Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans for Fair Redistricting (CAPAFR), Advancing Justice-LA has played a leading role in ensuring that the voting power of Asian American and NHPI communities is respected during the redistricting process, as well as helping Asian Americans and NHPIs to build coalitions with other stakeholders including other communities of color. For example, in 2011, Advancing Justice-LA and CAPAFR educated and organized Asian Americans and NHPIs around the state to advocate that new state legislative districts be drawn more fairly, resulting in significant positive changes for Asian Americans and NHPI voters in several areas of the state.
Voter's Edge
Look up your entire ballot and polling place by entering your address on the Voter’s Edge tool! Voter’s Edge makes preparing to vote easier and more effective by providing in-depth information on the candidates and measures down to the local level.
Related Publications
Asian American Vote-By-Mail Ballot Rejection Rates in California
Voices of Democracy: The State of Language Access in Califorina's November 2016 Elections
