House Panel Supports Bilingual Voting

[struggle4progress]

House committee rejects effort to end bilingual voting provisions
WASHINGTON, May. 10, 2006
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(AP) .. Conservative House members tried Wednesday to end a requirement in the 1965 law that bilingual ballots and interpreters be provided in states and counties where large numbers of citizens speak limited English ..

The committee voted 26-9 against amending the law, which ended racist practices such as poll taxes and literacy tests in Southern states, so it no longer would require the bilingual ballots and interpreters ..

About 500 political subdivisions in 31 states must offer bilingual assistance. Of those states, five -- Alaska, Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas -- must provide the assistance statewide.

Later, the committee voted 33-1 to extend the law, due to expire next year, for 25 more years .. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/10/ap/politics/mainD8HH7HV80.shtml

[muntrv]

1. GOP doesn't want to lose

the Latino vote.

[struggle4progress]

2. They can't afford to: they depend on apparently winning by ..

.. razor-thin margins