Restrictive Voter Laws and Other Election Issues

Election-related Information

Election 2012

• Section 208 Translated Language Factsheets: Translated factsheet created for voters to inform them about their right to bring someone of their choice in to the polling booth to assist them with voting during an election. (Please note that each factsheet is intended to be printed as a two-sided document with the English language on one side and the translated language on the other.)
  • Chinese (Traditional)
  • Chinese (Simplified)
  • Bengali
  • Gujarati
  • Hindi
  • Hmong
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Lao
  • Tagalog
  • Urdu
  • Vietnamese

• Know-Your-Rights Palm Cards: Palm Cards that provide state-specific information about commonly asked questions about the voting process in both English and translated into several Asian languages. (Please note that each translated palm card is intended to be printed as a two-sided document with the English language on one side and the translated language on the other.)
  
  • Florida
    • English
    • Chinese (Traditional)
    • Thai
    • Vietnamese
  • Texas
    • English
    • Chinese (Traditional)
    • Korean
    • Vietnamese
  • Georgia
    • English
    • Chinese (Traditional)
    • Korean
    • Vietnamese
  • Michigan
    • English
    • Hmong
    • Bangla
    • Chinese (Traditional)
  • Ohio
    • English
    • Korean
    • Chinese (Traditional)
    • Vietnamese
  • Illinois
    • English
    • Korean
    • Chinese (Simplified)
    • Hindi
  • Nevada
    • English
    • Tagalog
    • Chinese (Traditional)
    • Vietnamese
  • Virginia
    • English
    • Korean
    • Bangla/Bengali
    • Vietnamese
  • Minnesota
    • English
    • Hmong
    • Lao
    • Chinese (Traditional)

• Helping Asian Americans Vote in Florida: Get Ready for November! (Asia Trend Magazine) – article in Asia Trend Magazine highlighting rights and resources that Floridian voters should be aware of as the election approaches 

• Other Election-related Resources:
  • Election Protection Coalition: works to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to participate in the political process. Provides hotlines for voters, an informational website, and comprehensive voter protection field programs across the country.
  • Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Voting Rights Materials and Events Interactive Map: An interactive map that provides information on state-specific organizational resources as well as state-specific events
  • AFL CIO Know Your Rights In Your State factsheets: An interactive map that provides information on where and how state laws have changed as well as provides links to state-specific fact sheets fact sheet with what you need to know to vote. 

Elections 2008

• AAJC Testimony: Oral and written testimony from AAJC's Executive Director on what problems may confront language minority voters during the general election in November 2008 that DOJ must be vigilant about in the upcoming months.
  • September 24, 2008 Testimony of Karen K. Narasaki
    President and Executive Director, Asian American Justice Center
    Before the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights Committee on the Judiciary and the Subcommittee on Elections Committee of the House Administration 
    United States House of Representatives

Restrictive Voter Laws 

• AAJC Testimony: Written testimony from AAJC's Director of Census & Voting Programs on how voter suppression tactics harm Asian American Voters 
  • Monday, November 14, 2011 Statement of Terry M. Ao
    Director of Census & Voting Programs, Asian American Justice Center
    For the Forum On State Voter Laws
    “Excluded from Democracy: The Impact of Recent State Voting Law Changes”
    Before the Committee of the Judiciary (Democrats) 
    United States House of Representatives
  • February 26, 2008 Official Statement of Terry M. Ao
    Director of Census & Voting Programs, Asian American Justice Center 
    Before the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties Committee on the Judiciary 
    United States House of Representatives
    Oversight Hearing on Voter Suppression
• Other Resources
  • Lawyers’ Committee on Civil Rights Under Law’s Map of Shame: An interactive map that shows which states have passed what types of restrictive voter laws
  • Brennan Center for Justice 
  • • Voting Law Changes in 2012: Ahead of the 2012 elections, a wave of legislation tightening restrictions on voting has suddenly swept across the country. This Brennan Center guide details both the bills that have been proposed and the legislation that has been passed since the beginning of 2011.
    • State Restrictions on Voter Registration Drives: Designed with advocates, policymakers, and community groups in mind, this report analyzes the most onerous aspects of state restrictions on voter registration drives and provides a state-by-state snapshot of the laws in each of the 50 states.

Election Reform and Other Related Issues

• HAVA 2008 Check-In: Is HAVA Working For or Against You?
  This handbook provides background information, concerns and issues with implementation, and some recommendations for a number of the most relevant provisions. Community leaders and advocates can assess their state’s approach to these particular topics and work with their election officials, as necessary, to augment upon what procedures are in place to improve the election process for Asian American and all American voters.