This year marks the first election season since Apache County did away with Spanish language translations on printed ballots. County supervisors approved the change earlier this year.
Their decision is one previously taken by officials in Mohave and Gila counties. The update is done for reasons like cost savings and increasing voter efficiency.
The Voting Rights Act requires language translations for certain regions based on census data and other factors. That includes places like Maricopa County. However, not all counties are subject to this federal law.
Natalia Sells is with the non-partisan All Voting Is Local Action Arizona. She says jurisdictions should not cut back on language provisions even if the law does not mandate them.
“Instead, we should be finding more ways to ensure and protect and make sure that all voters are able to participate and not be limited because English isn't their primary language,” she said.
While Spanish assistance is available at express voting machines in Apache County, Sells points out that a large majority of people in Arizona vote by mail.
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