ATLANTA — As the Peach State emerged as one of the country's political battleground states in the last presidential election, it's clear that the road to the White House is through Georgia. The first sign of where Georgia will lean will come on Primary Day, March 12.
Presidential Preference Primary Day is when Georgia voters can voice their opinions on the presidential race. Georgia will have a second Primary Day on May 21 for races like the U.S. House or Georgia General Assembly seats.
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In an effort to make every vote count, some areas in metro Atlanta are providing ballots in languages other than English. This story will cover metro Atlanta counties offering election materials in different languages. However, voters should note that some cities have decided to offer their election materials in different languages, too.
People can check with their city during local elections to see if sample ballots and other election materials would be provided in other languages.
Gwinnett County non-English election material
Under the Voting Rights Act, Gwinnett County is federally obligated to provide election materials in Spanish.
The law, known as Section 203, mandates that a county provide voting materials in a language other than English when at least 5% of the community's voting-age population speaks another language. Gwinnett County's Spanish-speaking population is the only community in the state that reaches this threshold.
However, in 2021, Gwinnett County officials made a commitment and later worked into its budget to offer elections materials in more languages.
Deeming it an effort of language equity, Gwinnett County also offers election materials in the following languages:
- Vietnamese
- Korean
- Chinese
- Spanish
- English
Click here for the Democratic consolidated sample ballot or click here for the Republican consolidated sample ballot - which has examples presented in five languages.
Officially, ballots will only be offered in English and Spanish, according to the Supervisor of Elections Office. Voters can select their preferred language on the ballot marking device after inserting their voter access card.
DeKalb County multilingual election materials
DeKalb County in 2020 became the first Georgia county to translate voter materials in Spanish and Korean voluntarily.
Continuing this effort, the DeKalb County Supervisor of Elections Office continues to provide election materials in three languages.
What if my county doesn't offer my ballot in my native language?
Ask a poll worker for help
This is when voters can rely on a poll worker.
Counties are encouraged to hire bilingual poll workers who are equipped and allowed to assist voters through the voting process. If a voter needs assistance, they are encouraged to ask for a poll worker to explain the steps needed to take to cast a ballot at their precinct.
Use a sample ballot
Another tip is to check out your sample ballot by going to the Secretary of State's Office and going to the My Voter Page section. Plan your vote at home with translation resources so you're prepared when you're in the polls.
People can also use this tool to translate sample ballots into Spanish then compare it with one's county or municipal ballot to familiarize themselves with how their ballot will look at the polls.
11Alive is committed to helping you vote confidently by understanding the 2024 election issues that impact you. Our goal is to educate and inform about the election process. We plan to do that by verifying facts, providing context, and explaining the system. Get more election resources here at 11alive.com/vote.
Keep in mind -- this primary election is just for the 2024 presidential race. Georgia will have a second Primary Day on May 21 for races like the U.S. House or Georgia General Assembly seats.
