The Overview

If you vote in California, the language on your ballot and registration forms could soon look different, thanks to a new state law. A California law requires election officials in any political subdivision where a language is spoken by at least 10,000 voting-age citizens, or by 5% of them, to provide translated ballots, voter registration forms, and election notices in that language. ​

California's Elections: translation of election materials, SB 1360 became law when Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed it Sept. 19. A UC Berkeley poll reported by the Los Angeles Times found 82 percent of California Democrats and 72 percent of voters with no party preference supported translated ballot materials for people with limited English proficiency. The law requires translated ballots and election notices in any language spoken by at least 10,000 or 5% of voting-age citizens in a political subdivision, and starting Jan. 1, 2027, the Secretary of State may also require translations if citizens or groups provide evidence that a language group qualifies.

What the Law Does

Elections officials in any political subdivision where at least 10,000 voting-age citizens, or five percent of voting-age citizens, speak a given language with limited English proficiency must provide translated ballots, voter registration forms, and election notices in that language, and must have enough bilingual poll workers on hand to assist voters who need language help. The Secretary of State must identify qualifying counties by Dec. 15, 2031, and again on Dec. 15 of every year ending in 1 or 7 after that.

Starting Jan. 1, 2027, the Secretary of State may also order a political subdivision to provide translated materials if residents or organizations supply enough evidence that a language group meets the threshold. The Slator language-industry outlet reported the law goes beyond existing federal requirements and includes limits on AI translation.

Legislative Status

Sabrina Cervantes sponsored the bill, and six colleagues joined as cosponsors: Rubio, Wahab, Fong, Garcia, Nguyen and Pellerin. The Senate passed the bill 28-0 on May 22; the Assembly passed it 65-0 on Aug. 30; and the Senate concurred in Assembly amendments 34-0 on Aug. 31.

Cervantes said, "California will not stand by while a right-wing majority of the Supreme Court tries to rob Californians of their sacred right to vote," according to the Governor of California's office. The League of Women Voters of California identified SB 1360 alongside SB 1164 as the California Voting Rights Act of 2026.

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