H.R. 2054 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, Mar 11, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryRequires English-only ballots for federal funds
This bill would tie federal election money to a requirement that states use ballots in English only. It would also repeal a federal prohibition on English-only elections and remove language assistance requirements that currently allow some voters to get ballots and registration information in languages other than English.
How it affects you
Voters with limited English proficiency would lose access to ballots and election materials in their native languages. States that currently provide ballots in multiple languages would face a choice between continuing that practice and losing federal election funding.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Mar 11, 2025)
Voting Only Through English Act or the VOTE Act
This bill requires states to use English-only ballots to qualify for certain federal election funds. It also repeals a prohibition on English-only federal elections and eliminates language assistance provisions under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA). (The VRA requires some jurisdictions to provide materials such as ballots and registration information in English and in other covered languages for voters whose English proficiency is limited. The bill removes these requirements.)
Specifically, the bill prohibits a state from receiving federal election administration funds if the state provides ballots for a federal election that include text in any language other than English.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 2054
A BILL
VOTE Act
Sponsor: Rep. Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ-8) · Introduced Mar 11, 2025 · Government Operations and Politics · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 11, 2025: “Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.”