Fresno and Sacramento County Now Required to Produce Hmong Ballots
For Immediate Release: April 18, 2018
Contact: Cha Vang, Cha.Vang@hipcalifornia.com, 916.382.0177
Fresno and Sacramento County Now Required to Produce Hmong Ballots
Secretary of State Padilla and Hmong Innovating Politics Create New PSA to Raise Awareness
SACRAMENTO – Today, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla joined with Hmong Innovating Politics (HIP) Executive Director Cha Vang to raise awareness about important changes that now require Sacramento and Fresno County to provide physical versions of Hmong translated ballots in polling locations throughout each county. These translated ballots are key in helping historically disenfranchised communities participate in our Democracy and ensuring that all Californians exercise their right to vote.
“Providing voting information in a voter’s preferred language is critical to ensuring all citizens can participate in our elections," said Secretary of State Alex Padilla. “Providing translated ballots will help elections officials better serve Hmong and other communities. I am proud that California is working to expand all citizens’ voting rights and access to the ballot.”
“In Sacramento and Fresno County, Hmong Americans have become integral to the local economy and culture of our communities. Secretary Padilla’s leadership makes voting more accessible to communities who have been reluctant to participate due to language barriers,” described Vang. “These new changes will empower first-time voters, further educate experienced voters and creates a climate that encourages civic participation.”
While these significant changes are important for the community and reinforced by the law, the success of implementation and increase in voter participation depend largely on amplifying the information and on-going community organizing. “HIP will work deliberately with our partners and Secretary Padilla’s office to provide voter education for Hmong Americans and work with residents one-on-one to ensure they exercise their voting rights,” added Vang.
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HIP is a grassroots organization whose mission is to strengthen the political power of Hmong and disenfranchised communities through innovative civic engagement and strategic grassroots mobilization. We envision a California of empowered communities that thrive in a socially and economically just democracy.