Bengali included in NYC for US Election 2024 election ballots – GetBengal story
As Americans head to the polls today, US time, to elect the 47th president, New York City’s diversity shines through not only in its neighbourhoods but also on its ballot papers. New York City is one of the most linguistically diverse places in the world, as it is home to speakers of over 200 languages. However, only five languages—English, Chinese, Spanish, Korean, and Bengali—will be appearing on New York’s ballots for this election, with Bengali serving as the sole representation for South Asian languages.
For Bengali-speaking voters, this inclusion means more than just a convenience. The inclusion of Bengali on the ballot is especially significant for New York’s large South Asian population. Many Bengali speaking citizens in these communities come from India and Bangladesh, and for some, accessing English polling stations can be challenging. This language support, required by federal law under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, was first implemented in 2013 after the federal government recognised the need for greater language access to support South Asian minorities in the voting process. Subhshesh, a sales agent from the Bengali community and working in Times Square, shared his enthusiasm about the impact of the language provision. He noted, "People like me know English, but there are many in our community who are more comfortable in Bengali." He also added, "This helps them at the polling station, and I am sure my father, who lives in Queens, will appreciate seeing a Bengali-language ballot paper."
Michael J. Ryan, Executive Director of the New York City Board of Elections, elaborated on the background behind Bengali’s inclusion. “There was a lawsuit about language access, and as you know, India has a lot of different languages within it. The settlement required us to provide an Asian Indian language within a certain population density, and through negotiations, Bengali was selected.”
Under the Voting Rights Act, New York City is obligated to provide ballot papers and other essential voting materials in languages besides English. Community leaders have also responded positively to the idea. Dr. Avinash Gupta, President of the Federation of Indian Associations, praised the action as empowering for the Indian diaspora.
With Bengali now on the ballot, the city continues its journey toward inclusivity, paving the way for a more participative future where all residents have the support they need to engage in civic life.
