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Program Methodology

About Voter Language Assistance

Early Voting Services Map

Election Day Services Map

Know Your Rights

Get Involved

Program Methodology


Methodology for the Voter Language Assistance Program

In compliance with the NYC Charter deadline, the NYC Civic Engagement Commission (NYCCEC) is posting the Methodology for the Voter Language Assistance Program (VLA), which provides interpretation services at poll sites. The methodology outlines the process for identifying program eligible languages and poll sites in which interpretation services will be offered. The methodology was used to deliver interpretation services in November 2020 for the general election and all general, primary, and special elections going forward.

Program Eligible Languages: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Cantonese & Mandarin), French, Haitian-Creole, Italian, Korean, Polish, Russian, Urdu, Yiddish

The CEC held a public hearing on February 18, 2020. The recording and transcript of the hearing are available here. While this methodology integrates responses to public comments, an additional Frequently Asked Question document also summarizes key comments received and the CEC's responses. In October 2022, the Commission approved updates to the methodology, allowing reallocation of resources based on utilization.

Methodology - Voter Language Assistance Program

Methodology - Voter Language Assistance Program (Word Accessible Version)

FAQ: Methodology - Voter Language Assistance Program

FAQ: Methodology - Voter Language Assistance Program (Word Accessible Version)

Final Methodology Procedures Amendment (as amended) - 6-1-2021

Revised Voter Language Assistance Program Methodology

Revised Voter Language Assistance Program Methodology (Word Accessible Version)

Per Chapter 76 of the NYC Charter, the NYC Civic Engagement Commission established minimum standards for interpreter* training and conduct for the City’s Poll Site Language Assistance Program. Read the documents before for more information.

Final Rule for Standard on Interpreter Conduct and Training

Final Rule Certification

*Interpreter: someone whose job is to orally convey information from one language into a second language.