Cultural Competency of Poll Workers Amendment to H.R. 1

Floor Speech

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Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my excitement about the passage of H.R. 1. I am especially pleased that my amendment to increase the cultural competency of poll workers was adopted as a part of this historic bill.

I represent New York's 6th district in Queens, New York--a robust and diverse community. I understand firsthand that voters in every district are unique. Poll workers should not only be aware of the intricacies of state voting laws, but the ways in which individuals have different needs at the polls as well.

Poll workers are a crucial component to elections at every level of our democracy. These individuals check with voters to verify information and either hand voters a ballot or direct individuals to a voting machine. They ensure order and efficiency on Election Day.

My amendment requires that poll worker manuals contain cultural competency training information. Those who work our polls will learn strategies to help voters who come from diverse backgrounds, live with disabilities, or have limited English proficiency--regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Cultural competency training will decrease congestion at the voting booth and ensure that all voters are able to participate in our democracy to the fullest.

I thank my colleagues Representative Chu, Representative Grijalva, and Representative Pressley for co-sponsoring this amendment with me. I look forward to continuing my work on the expansion of voting rights in the 116th Congress.

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