Voter registration forms now available nationally in 5 Asian languages

Voter registration forms now in 5 Asian languages

SAN FRANCISCO — Voter registration forms are now available nationally in five Asian languages.

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission released the forms on its Web site Thursday in Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean and Tagalog.

States already have been producing ballots in those languages, but voter registration forms previously were offered only in English and Spanish.

Nationwide, the Asian-American population has grown from 0.5 percent in 1960, to 5 percent now. The Census projects it will grow to 8 percent, or to 33.4 million, by 2050.

Immigrant advocates say the newly translated forms are an important move to ensure new citizens’ participation in the electoral process.

On the Net:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission, www.eac.gov/index_html1

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Voter registration forms are available nationally in five Asian languages for the first time.

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission released the forms on its Web site Thursday in Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean and Tagalog. It previously offered them only in English and Spanish.

Immigrant advocates say it’s an important move to ensure new citizens’ participation in the electoral process.

Commission chairwoman Donetta Davidson says states can distribute the commission’s forms, or use the translations to print their own. She says this initiative makes it easier and less expensive for states to engage these groups.

Nationwide, the Asian-American population has grown from 0.5 percent in 1960, to 5 percent now. The Census projects it will grow to 8 percent, or to 33.4 million, by 2050.

On the Net:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission, www.eac.gov/index_html1