August 8, 2025
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Los Angeles County Celebrates 50 Years of Language Access in Elections
County commemorates milestone anniversary of Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) Dean C. Logan announced the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act — a provision that requires translated election materials, ballots, and language assistance for voters.
The RR/CC continues to lead in expanding these protections and provides election materials in English and 18 additional languages, which is more than any other jurisdiction in the nation.
To celebrate language diversity, the RR/CC hosted We Speak Your Language: 50 Years of Language Access and Empowerment—a special event marking the 50th anniversary of Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act.
Held at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, the event honored community-based organizations and advocates for their vital contributions to advancing language access and empowering voters throughout L.A. County
“Language access is fundamental to fair and inclusive elections,” said Logan. “For 50 years, Section 203 has opened the door for many voters. Here in L.A. County, we’ve built on that foundation—working closely with local partners to ensure that every eligible voter, in every community, has the opportunity to cast their ballot with confidence and in the language they understand.”
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the original Voting Rights Act on August 6, 1965. On August 6, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Section 203 into law.
“The Voting Rights Act of 1965, with its amendment to Section 203 in 1975, stands as one of the most transformative pieces of legislation in American history, outlawing racial discrimination and giving millions of Americans, long excluded from full participation in our democracy, and affirming that language, like race, must never be used to deny someone their voice in our democracy,” said Los Angeles County Chair Pro Tem and First District Supervisor, Hilda L. Solis. This year’s anniversary is more than a celebration, it’s a reminder of the principles that we embody and a call to action. As we navigate unprecedented times that threaten the very fabric and principles of our democracy, the County proudly reaffirms its commitment to protect access to the vote for every community, regardless of the language
our residents speak. May access, equity, and representation always guide our path forward.”
The RR/CC proudly reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that all eligible voters, regardless of language, can fully participate in the democratic election process. The 50th anniversary of Section 203 also highlights the RR/CC’s ongoing collaboration with community-based organizations through the Language Accessibility Advisory Committee (LAAC), which plays a vital role in advancing equitable voting access across L.A. County.
“For 50 years, the Voting Rights Act has protected language access—it’s time to celebrate linguistic diversity as our superpower,” said Kathay Feng, Senior Deputy with RR/CC. “We’re showing that election offices can meet voters where they are and build a democracy that hears all voices—in the languages of our communities.”
Voters can request translated election materials by contacting the RR/CC’s Bilingual Assistance Hotline at (800) 815-2666, option 3. For more information about voting in a language other than English, visit RR/CC’s Multilingual Services Program online at LAVOTE.GOV.
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