VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

• Code of Virginia
• Virginia Administrative Code
• Constitution of Virginia
• Charters
• Authorities
• Compacts
• Uncodified Acts
• RIS Users (account required)

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

• Bills & Resolutions
  session legislation
• Bill Summaries
  session summaries
• Reports to the General Assembly
  House and Senate documents
• Legislative Liaisons
  State agency contacts

ACROSS SESSIONS

• Subject Index: Since 1995
• Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
• Summaries: Since 1994

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2006 SESSION

• history | hilite | pdf | print version

065621364
HOUSE BILL NO. 228 Offered January 11, 2006 Prefiled January 3, 2006 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 1 of Title 24.2 a section numbered 24.2-101.1, relating to elections; materials and ballots in non-English translations. ---------- Patrons-- Jones, D.C. and Dance ---------- Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 1 of Title 24.2 a section numbered 24.2-101.1 as follows:

§ 24.2-101.1. Materials and ballots in non-English translations.

A. The electoral board of any county, city, or town may provide elections materials and ballots in non-English translations.

B. On and after July 1, 2007, a covered county, city, or town shall provide elections materials and ballots in non-English translations. By January 1, 2007, the State Board of Elections shall provide a list of covered counties, cities, and towns based on available United States Census data and other available information and on the following criteria: (i) more than 3% of the citizens of voting age of the county, city, or town, are members of a single language minority and are limited English proficient; or (ii) more than 5,000 citizens of voting age of a county, city, or town are members of a single language minority and are limited English proficient; and (iii) the illiteracy rate of the citizens in the language minority as a group is higher that the national illiteracy rate. 

C. Whenever any covered county, city, or town provides any registration or voting notices, forms, instructions, assistance, or other materials or information relating to the electoral process, including ballots, it shall provide them in the language of the applicable minority group as well as in the English language.

D. As used in this section:

"Voting materials" means registration or voting notices, forms, instructions, assistance, or other materials or information relating to the electoral process, including ballots.

"Limited-English proficient" means unable to speak or understand English adequately enough to participate in the electoral process.

"Citizens" means citizens of the United States.

"Illiteracy" means the failure to complete the 5th primary grade.