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Language support

Voters who do not speak English can get help for voting.

Will I get assistance in the polling place?

Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act requires certain counties to provide language assistance to people with limited English proficiency. In localities where there are more than 10,000 or over 5% of the total voting age citizens in a single county who are members of a single language minority group, have depressed literacy rates, and do not speak English very well, then the county has to offer voting information and assistance in that language. 

There are currently three counties in Pennsylvania should provide voting materials and assistance in Spanish:

  • Berks County
  • Lehigh County
  • Philadelphia County

There is currently one county in Pennsylvania should provide voting materials and assistance in Chinese:

  • Philadelphia County

Can I bring someone with me to help me vote?

You can get help voting, as long as the person who helps you:

  • is not your employer or union representative
  • is not the judge of elections
You do not need to get permission before each election to have someone help you vote, but you may be asked to sign a declaration stating that you need assistance at the polling place. This declaration is now available in Spanish, Traditional Chinese,  Simplified Chinese and Vietnamese



For more information on language access, refer to our latest guidance