New York’s ballot paper for the US presidential election has seen an interesting change this year by including an Indian language—Bengali. This decision comes as New York City boasts over 2,000 different languages spoken within its borders. In addition to English, the ballot now features four languages: Chinese, Spanish, Korean, and Bengali, according to the executive director of the New York Board of Elections.
With a significant Bengali-speaking community comprising residents from both India and Bangladesh, election officials decided to include Bengali on the ballot, particularly in areas like Queens, where the community is large. This marks the continuation of an effort that began in 2013 when Bengali first appeared on the election ballot in Queens.
As the competition heats up between current Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, New York’s decision to add Bengali to the ballot serves both cultural and legal purposes. Providing voting materials in voters’ mother tongue ensures better access for the South Asian community in New York City.
An Indian-Bengali sales agent working in New York’s Times Square welcomed this initiative from the Election Board. He noted that while many can communicate in English, others feel more confident using their native language. He expressed optimism that such changes will streamline the voting process, stating that he is sure his father will prefer the Bengali ballot paper for voting.