Expanding the VOTE Act

Requires States and local governments covered by the Voting Rights Act to provide voter registration and voting materials (including ballots) in applicable minority languages and clarifies that “voting materials” includes printed and digital items. Creates an Election Assistance Commission grant program ($15 million authorized) to fund translations and materials for small language minority groups not currently covered by the Act, and directs the GAO to study whether lowering language‑access thresholds and adding languages (including Arabic, French, and Haitian Creole) should expand protections.

Also updates rules about when a State is treated as covered and when the Attorney General must notify jurisdictions near statutory thresholds, and allows tribal governments to require oral assistance instead of written translations when a tribal language is unwritten or the tribe declines written translation for voters (with written translations for election workers if the tribe consents).