In addition to providing election materials and services in English, the Secretary of State provides services to voters in six other languages. As the November 2 General Election nears, Secretary of State Debra Bowen is reminding Spanish-speaking voters of nonpartisan resources available to help them in the voting process.

   “Like many Americans, I speak more than one language, but I prefer to read detailed documents in English, the language in which I am most fluent,” said Secretary Bowen, the state’s chief elections officer. “State and federal laws provide rights to voters who are fluent in languages other than English.  Offering nonpartisan assistance to California citizens who prefer detailed information in their most familiar language ensures every eligible person is equipped to vote.”

   Key Spanish-Language Resources for the November 2 General Election

   § Voter Registration: In California, people must register to vote at least 15 days before an election. The deadline to do so for the November 2 election is October 18. People may register to vote in California if they are United States citizens, reside in California, are at least 18 years old by Election Day, are not in prison or on parole for a felony conviction, and have not been judged by a court to be mentally incompetent. A voter must re-register to vote after changing names, permanent residence or political party choice. A Spanish-language voter registration form is on the Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/Outreach/multilingual/2010-nvra/nvra-update-spanish.pdf.

   § Voting by Mail: Any registered voter may vote by mail instead of going to the polls on Election Day.  The last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot is October 26.  A Spanish vote-by-mail application is at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/Outreach/multilingual/vmb/sp-vmb.pdf.

   § Voter Information Guide: The Secretary of State’s official guide for the November statewide election is translated into Spanish and mailed to voters who have indicated that language preference. To order free copies of the guide, call (800) 232-VOTA (8682).

   § Voting Rights: “A Guide to Voting in California” is in Spanish at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/Outreach/multilingual/a-guide-to-voting-in-california/spanish-guide-voting-ca.pdf. A Spanish-language “Voter Bill of Rights” poster is at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/Outreach/multilingual/vbr/sp-voter-bill-rights.pdf.

   § Voter Hotline: The Secretary of State’s office offers personalized assistance in Spanish at (800) 232-VOTA (8682).