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Sample ballots translated for multilingual voters

A sample ballot for Lincoln County, South Dakota for the 2024 general election.
SDPB
A sample ballot for Lincoln County, South Dakota for the 2024 general election.

As America becomes more diverse by the year, accommodations are needed for those who don’t speak English as a first language. In Sioux Falls, one group wants to make sure everyone, regardless of background, is fully prepared for the voting booth.

South Dakota Voices for Peace have translated sample Minnehaha County ballots into four languages – Amharic, Arabic, Spanish and Nepali – the most widely spoken non-English languages in the area.

Taneeza Islam is the CEO of the group.

“To be able to engage all multilingual communities, which are growing in our state according to census data, it’s important to translate all information so folks can access it," Islam said. "Specifically, for us concentrating on civic engagement activities, to translate it to languages people will understand.”

It is important to remember these sample ballots are not official and will not be counted if submitted at a polling location. Islam said sample ballots can be printed and used as guides in the voting booth.

While these ballots are specifically for Minnehaha County local elections, Islam said multilingual families in Rapid City or Watertown could still benefit.

“The ballot initiatives and initiated measures – all of that information will be the same," Islam said. "The federal elections will be the same. The difference will be in the local city, county, and state elections for Representatives and Senators.”

A link to printable copies of these sample ballots can be found here.

Early voting is already underway. Election day is November 5.

C.J. Keene is a Rapid City-based journalist covering the legal system, education, and culture