For all the debate in recent years about how mass unchecked illegal immigration threatens election integrity, there’s one glaring apparent contradiction in American law that almost no one is talking about – and it might be enabling noncitizens to vote.
To become a U.S. citizen – and therefore gain the right to vote in federal elections – noncitizens must pass a naturalization test that measures both English language proficiency and knowledge of U.S. history and government. English proficiency is determined by the ability to “read, write, speak and understand English,” with applicants required to read one sentence, write one sentence, and respond meaningfully to questions in English.
While grammatical, spelling, or pronunciation errors are permitted, applicants must convey meaning clearly to pass. Certain exceptions apply for age, length of residency, or medical disability, but most applicants must demonstrate “an ability to read, write, speak, and understand words in ordinary usage” to meet the naturalization requirements.
But that requirement is in apparent conflict with Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act, which mandates translated voting materials—ballots, instructions, and notices—in counties where a significant number of voting-age citizens belong to a single language minority group and have limited English proficiency. In places like Los Angeles County, that means ballots are printed in 18 languages besides English. In 2024 alone, a total of about 330 jurisdictions nationwide provided approximately 24 million non-English ballots.
The Voting Rights Act, originally passed in 1965 and amended over the years, was critical in ending racial discrimination at the polls and expanding access to the ballot box. But with illegal immigration now a national crisis, there’s legitimate reason for concern that progressive activists and politicians are exploiting Section 203 to enable noncitizen voting – especially in left-leaning states and cities with lax enforcement of election laws to begin with.
This threat undermines the very concept of assimilation and informed participation. If English is required to become a citizen – presumably so new Americans can responsibly engage in civic duties like voting – then why does the government not only allow but mandate ballots in dozens of languages? A shared language is not just a convenience, but a cornerstone of self-government and national unity.
The English requirement for citizenship has deep roots in American law. It began with the Naturalization Act of 1906, which introduced a speaking requirement, and was reinforced by the Nationality Act of 1940, which mandated reading and writing standards. These requirements were designed to ensure that new citizens could fully participate in an English-speaking democratic republic.
By contrast, Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act – added in 1975 – requires translated voting materials in any locality where more than 10,000 voters or over five percent of voting-age citizens belong to a single language minority group, have low literacy rates, and do not speak English well. These dual policies – demanding English for citizenship, but waiving it for voting – are ripe for abuse.
The English proficiency standard for naturalization is not burdensome. Applicants must read and write simple sentences such as “The flag is red, white, and blue.” Most ballots are written at a middle school reading level. If such a standard is reasonable for becoming a citizen, it should be reasonable for voting. Anything less cheapens the value of citizenship and invites legal and logistical inconsistencies.
Supporters of multilingual ballots claim they are essential to preventing disenfranchisement among those who struggle with English. But critics argue the opposite: that providing ballots in multiple languages actually fosters long-term disenfranchisement by discouraging assimilation, fragmenting the electorate, and eroding shared civic norms.
Indeed, these translated ballots carry practical and legal risks. Inaccurate translations and inconsistent formatting can lead to confusion or mistakes. The sheer complexity of multilingual ballot distribution complicates election administration, increases costs, and creates more opportunities for error—or fraud.
Worse still, the availability of non-English ballots may lower the barriers for noncitizen voting. When ballots are available in dozens of languages, verifying a voter’s eligibility becomes harder, and the mechanisms meant to preserve election integrity become less effective.
This concern isn’t merely theoretical. In one instance from last year, a D.C. city government agency held special training sessions aimed at teaching noncitizens how to cast ballots.
This should alarm anyone who cares about fair elections. Our voting system relies on the principle of informed consent by the governed. But if voters can cast ballots in languages other than English—without ever demonstrating an understanding of the country’s civic norms or legal processes—we undermine both assimilation and accountability.
The Founders envisioned a republic where free citizens deliberated in a shared public language. As debates over immigration and national identity grow more divisive, preserving English as the common civic language is more important than ever. If English is necessary to gain citizenship, it should be necessary at the ballot box too.
Sarah Katherine Sisk is a proud Hillsdale College alumna and a master’s student in economics at George Mason University. You can follow her on X @SKSisk76.
Bottom Line — English is the basic language for this nation. Ballots SHOULD BE PRINTED IN ENGLISH ONLY NO MATTER WHAT.
Almost a decade ago, I walked into a Bank Of America branch in Salem OR, they had just moved, to conduct a transaction for my parents account (they WERE with B of A for more than 50 years!!). I could NOT FIND a deposit slip in English!! I am not kidding, the deposit slips were large letters in Spanish with small English language underneath!! I was quite shocked! I asked a teller and she showed me, I said Oh, so you are catering to the minority Spanish speakers instead of the English speakers. Her face dropped when I told her that I was going to move all of my parents quarter million dollar assets to another bank. Along with mine. And I did!
Nothing should be printed in any language but English.
The first thing we should do is remove every language except English from everything we access on a daily basis.
How did immigrants from Germany, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Ireland, etc. cast votes back in the 1800s? I don’t think they were catered to by being given everything in their own languages!! They had to LEARN our language and our ways to be able to intelligently participate in our great Republic! Perhaps their children learned first and translated until the parents picked it up. But they weren’t viewed as “special” and given handouts!
Ballots are confusing enough in english, but now everyone seems to get their voting materials in the language of their choice. I’m sure they all say the same thing, after all elections are honest right? But still, who’s to validate what’s printed and how would you know? In California, some ballot initiatives or propositions allow unpopular issues some politicians don’t want to be associated with, so now they become the responsibility of the voters. Unfortunately, well crafted wording can confuse even the most weary seasoned voters, which can inadvertently raise taxes if not interpreted correctly. The people even passed a proposition to make voting initiative wording less confusing although mostly ignored. Now add a language barrier to the election process, what could go wrong? No American citizen should have to press “1” for English.
There needs to be a requirement to read, speak and understand English before ANYONE should be able to vote.
Multiple languages is meant to divide the people, not bring them together with common goals and shared patriotism.
That is interesting because when I went for my citizenship test they asked me if I wanted an interpreter. When I came to this country legally 66 years ago it was a requirement, you had to speak English. Once here I found this was not required of Mexicans. And it never was over the years. And then everything came in two languages, in everything. And now so many languages some we have never heard of. If you cannot speak, read and write English you should not be given citizenship to this country. And you should not vote. No ballot provided in your native language. That is why this movement of people is done so easily. We joined even a movement, English only, in the late 1960’s. Every other country in the world have that qualification. Plus a requirement to have lived there 5-10 years before you can apply for citizenship. And just like it was here years ago when you came here on an immigration visa the first 5 years you could not get any aid from the government. No cell phones, well they hadn’t been invented yet, but nu welfare checks or health care paid for nor any help. Your sponsor was responsible for you. Interesting what people demand when they walk across the border with 300 dollar tennis shoes and a plastic bag and nothing else. And next thing you know they move next door to you in a half million dollar house fully furnished and drive the latest e vehicle. Courtesy of the Biden administration? Soros? Gates? Pritzker? Davos billionaires? Something is going on we are not even aware off.
After reading this column, I will ask my Senators to bring to Congress for voting to be done only in English. This is only right for the Citizens of this country,
those coming to america these days are too stupid to learn english OR they are not interested in assimiliating.
Should be English only!!!!!
What is confusing to me is that the ones who ‘claim to not speak English’ always know exactly which paper currencies to hand to cashier when they are buying things.
They even know what the item cost
printed on tag or ticket. Then they stand & read the receipt. I see this every day.
America is & should be English speaking.
This quote is 100% correct…
“American institutions rest solely on good citizenship. They were created by people who had a background of self-government. New arrivals should be limited to our capacity to absorb them into the ranks of good citizenship. America must be kept American. For this purpose, it is necessary to continue a policy of restricted immigration. It would lie well to make such immigration of a selective nature with some inspection at the source, and based either on a prior census or upon the record of naturalization. Either method would ensure the admission of those with the largest capacity and best intention of becoming citizens. I am convinced that our present economic and social conditions warrant a limitation of those to be admitted. We should find additional safety in a law requiring the immediate registration of all aliens. Those who do not want to be partakers of the American spirit ought not to settle in America.” ~ Calvin Coolidge, 30th POTUS (First Message to Congress, December 1923)
A fiend of mine has his phone message as- “For English press 1, for other languages, hang up, learn English, and call back.”
I hope it gets done like the story says. But I want to see the people that speak and understand English quit going in to help others that don’t take tests, one that comes to my mind is a drivers license test.
If you’re not a citizen how would you even know which way to vote? Wide open for corruption and cheating. Right up the Democrats alley. Why do you think they opposed voter ID so strongly. Why do you think they let 12 million illegal aliens into the country. Democrats can never win unless they can cheat. They know it and we know it so why do we let them keep doing it? They never get called out on it
As an American and a poll worker I am insulted when I see voter information displayed in languages other than English. This must change!
I certainly agree
In addition to the election issues is the medical issue. In San Jose, CA we have very few English speaking people employed in medical related jobs. We have almost no medical treatment available for English ONLY people needing medical care. There are no interpreters so non-English speaking doctors have no idea why a patient is in the office; No tests or referrals are processed; telephone calls are never returned. Most of this is due to non-English speaking employees in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and medical insurance companies (incl Medicare Advantage companies.)
At least every other year we are notified that some medical facility “has been hacked” and our names, SS #, birth dates,Names & addresses has been stolen. We live in fear of the identity theft that can hit us at any time for the rest of our lives. Employees who don’t understand OUR language have no idea what they are .doing . IF obamacare had been rejected we would not have this problem; putting all medical information on line put us in this jeopardy.
I believe that one has to become a citizen before being allowed to vote. One may be admitted to America but should not be allowed any benefits paid for by American tax money issued by the US Government before they become a citizen as that is vote pandering pure and simple. English is our official language…period! Do not spend my tax money to print forms in other languages for anyone. I am tired of radical leftists in America pandering to citizens of foreign countries. We could end all of that by merely saying “You must abifde by the residency, citizenship and voting requirements of your own country and none of them allow anything! Mexico seems to be the worst, expecting America to do anything for Mexican nationals and allowing nothing in return for Americans in Mexico@!
I’ve complained about this for years, and no one listens to me about it! American election ballots should ONLY be printed in the English language!
If a person can’t speak or read English it is probable that they don’t know the issues they are voting for. They are probably being told who to vote for!! They must be able to read the ballot!!!!
One sentence? I thought non-citizens had to be proficient in English to become a citizen? Proficient means competent or skilled in doing or using something.
Every US citizen should be fluent in verbal and written English. This fluency helps all of us.
By all means voting is must but again to make honest, it must in English! My mother was naturalized American Citizen and she could read English!
2 make sure Dems win races
For democrats to want no ID required in my opinion is treason. We are a constitutional Republic held by laws. People like Crocket, OAC, Ilmar, need to be deported or held at GITMO.
It’s the Balkinization of the United States. This is exactly what the communist want to happen.
President Trump needs to get a firm hand on Voting Integrity throughout the entire USA today. Before, the next Election! English is the only Language acceptable, as this is America! Voter Legal ID is a must, no exeptions! Every State’s Voter Registration must be up todate, having been verified by the Federal Government! This goes for all Republican, Democrat and Independent Parties so, there’s fairness in America’s Free Elections. Too long now there have been questionable actions regarding the Legitimacy of USA’s Voting Processes. Every State has been allowed to Police themselves and this should no longer be the acceptable norm. Watching for the last twenty years it has gotten even worse due to Moral Principles being brought to light, especially, amongst Democrat controlled States. This should be Bipartisan in an Unified effort everyone wanting Voting Election Integrity for American Legalized Citizens.
Great job, young lady. I hope you will teach some economics to our ignorant politicians and college students.
We need to take our country back at all means! The riots in California are an example, many of those individuals are being paid to be there! Do what Mexico did back in the 1960’s they ordered the people off the street and when they failed to comply they shot them down! They have not rioted since!
The answer to that claim of not requiring English reading ability being a necessary skill to vote is to question why a definite misinterpretation using loophole rules occurred . The voting act of 1975 was written to prevent certain locations from denying access to voting because of limited literacy to read. That’s a reflection of how poorly we provide education literacy to children, especially in our public schools and part of the push to dumb down the population.
It’s gotten to the point where all standardized forms, including business communication, and even employment hiring are already in English. We don’t need a standardized specific spoken language but we have most if not all standardized written forms in English and English is the required language needed to be pro efficient at a middle school ( grades 6-8 level) reading level. This needs to stop being abused —Spoken language is not being denied but requiring citizens to read standard forms in English at a 6th grade
proficiency is not biased or discrimination.
It is my opinion, so quite obviously I am not speaking for everyone … but since America united, formed a government, and began the constitutional republic that it is … the prevailing language has been English. By that standard alone … Every government and state document ever printed, and every government and state office, should exclusively be communicating only in English. If you are from another country and want to live in this country, do not expect us to learn or speak your language. If we do … fine, but Government and State official business is in ENGLISH ONLY. What individual companies want to do is up to them, and their business model. As far as I am concerned Taco Bell can have their menu’s only in Spanish … it will cut down Americans from doing business with them, but that is their prerogative. But all official documents of state and federal government should be in ENGLISH ONLY!
It’s obvious, The Progressive Leftist Democrats will do anything and everything in their power to enable them to cheat at the polls, even “getting into bed” with a communist authoritarian country like the Chinese. What ever it takes they will attempt.
Congress needs to take President Trump action of making English our national language, a step further. Revoke section 703 of the language act and make it mandatory that anyone seeking naturalization be able to read write and speak English fluently.
I spent several years after I retired tutoring English as a second language so that these students could do such things as communicate with their children’s teachers, hold a job, etc. I met many migrants who were valuable assets to our population base. I also helped some of these students study for the citizenship test. My happiest moment was when one of my students called me one night to tell me he had passed the test and would soon become a citizen. He had migrated here (LEGALLY) from South America and worked as a welder, had a wife and two children, one entering college and one in grade school. Becoming a citizen and a voter in this fashion is what we should be promoting. If you can’t speak English, you cannot be a full participant in our society, no matter what liberal politicians in my liberal home state want us to believe. They view migrants as a valuable tool to increase the population of blue cities and increase liberal representation in Congress, whether these immigrants become citizens or not. Of course if these states can help illegal aliens to vote, they will also do that.
A new rule must be made to speak English at the Polls.
Is Congress Sleeping? Must be…this issue was loud & clear! Ballots should be in English. That’s the language of this Nation. How do European nations handle this issue? Do they bend over backwards to accommodate voters who don’t speak their language? Do they allow non-citizens & Illegals to vote in their elections? The idea is to change yourself to adapt to the Country you live in, not expect that country to accommodate you!
dems do this so they can cheat and they are experts at it and they have been doing it since Lincon administration
Great article, Sarah Sisk (you do Hillsdale proud!). I agree English is a must for ballots. Ever look at the last page of a Medicare Explanation of Benefits? Multiple languages. If entities continue to provide explanations in various languages, there’s no incentive to learn English. I’m going to write to DJT, my Democrat Rep, and RINO Senator — curious to see what I get for replies!
I, too, wish that English was our official language. However, I am old enough to remember why Spanish language voting became required, at least, first in New York.The reason was that we had always allowed Puerto Rico to function in Spanish. Since Puerto Ricans are automatically American citizens, the courts said that since the US didn’t require English in Puerto Rico, these citizens had a right to receive official notices and voting ballots in Spanish.
I’m not sure how we would get around that decision.
Voting should have the same requirements as airline pilots, English has to be used and understand to pilot a plane. The money wasted printing out voting materials and ballots in multiple languages is astronomical.
If English is required for citizenship, there can be no reason to have a voting ballot in any language other than English. The requirement in the voting rights act is purely for political reasons, unless the intent of Democrats is to allow illegal aliens to vote.
English only!
When I as a 21-year-old college student registered to vote I was required to read aloud from a randomly chosen part of our state constitution. This was of course in the presence of registrars from the two major political parties. In order to be an informed voter one must be able to read and understand the language of the country. In the U.S.A. most newspapers and most news broadcasts are in English so fluency in English should be a requirement fort voting. Legal immigrants with limited or no English language skills can learn English at various schools and other organizations. I never thought of voting as a “right”. Our founders believed “rights” were conferred on people by a power higher than government. Voting is a privilege granted to the citizens of a free country by its government.
Why is it that only Spanish speaking people do not have to learn English, but in some areas people are required to learn Spanish in many professions to accommodate them. What about the Germans, the Polish, the French and so many other people who are not native to the USA? My grandparents immigrated here many years ago from another Country, learned English, became Citizens and opened a business, bought a home and raised a family. Nobody was made to learn their native language.
Hence, the question, why are ballots printed in English and Spanish? If they became Citizens then they should have learned English. If they do not speak English, they must not be Citizens and therefore should not be anywhere near a place to vote or a ballot.
A lot of Great comments as usual!
I would like to add. There must be positive identification at the poles . Before you go in the booth!
In California, and probably many other Blue states, DMV offices offer study booklets in many languages, and you can take your tests in those languages. Ridiculous.
Which political party penned Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act?