Spanish speakers wanted at the polls
JERRY BERRIOS
Miami Herald
Sep 26, 2006
Broward County's supervisor of elections is seeking at least 300 additional bilingual poll workers to help Spanish-speaking voters during the Nov. 7 general election.
The push is part of a tentative agreement among the county, the supervisor's office and the U.S. Department of Justice. County commissioners are slated to vote today on whether to add $404,509 to the supervisor's budget for Hispanic outreach.
DOJ says the supervisor's office has not fully complied with the federal Voting Rights Act, which requires a sufficient number of Spanish-speaking poll workers and translation of certain election materials into Spanish. It's a charge the supervisor's office disputes.
Still, Broward Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes says she will enter into the DOJ agreement to show her commitment to fairness.
''We are willing to do more,'' Snipes said.
PROGRESS MADE
DOJ does not dispute that Snipes has made progress.
Since 2004, the office has translated materials into Spanish including ballots and its website content. The office also has published election notices in a local Spanish newspaper and recorded public service announcements for Spanish-language radio.
On Election Day, bilingual employees answer voters' telephone questions. Signs at polling places tell Spanish-speaking voters that they can be helped in Spanish.
Voter information cards are printed in English and Spanish, Snipes said.
''We thought it was a lot,'' Snipes said. ``We can document what we say we do.''
But while DOJ recognized her efforts, the department pressed for more bilingual poll workers.
The number needed is determined by the number of voters with Hispanic last names on the voter rolls, according to DOJ.
Precincts with 100 to 249 voters with Spanish last names will have at least one Spanish-speaking poll worker; precincts with 250 to 499 will have at least two bilingual poll workers; and precincts with 500 or more will have at least three bilingual poll workers.
Currently, Snipes has 481 poll workers who speak Spanish. She hopes to have at least one Spanish-speaking poll worker at each of the 773 polls across the county, and more in heavily Spanish-speaking areas, such as Miramar, Pembroke Pines and Weston.
''It won't be easy, but you have to set the goal,'' Snipes said. ``We have been recruiting Hispanic poll workers all along.''
