Page 4 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, December 23, 2022 Malden residents, activists, elected leaders celebrate voting rights win New law makes Malden second in state to transliterate candidate names on the ballot L ast Thursday Malden officials, voters and community groups celebrated a step towards assuring full access to the ballot box for Chinese-speaking voters with low English proficiency. With the passage of a home rule petition, Malden is now authorized to provide candidate names transliterated from English letters to Chinese characters – making it the next Massachusetts city to do so after Boston. Under the new law, the City of Malden will provide candidates with proposed Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lein * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net Gary Christenson Mayor Jason Lewis State Senator Steven Ultrino State Representative MARCHETTI CORP. On behalf of the Marchei Family, ha a Safe and Blessed Christmas and Prosperous New Year! DIESEL TRUCK STOP Paul Donato State Representative transliterations of their names and a candidate will have seven days to modify, propose their own transliteration, or decline to have their name transliterated. The City of Malden already provides bilingual ballots with all instructional information in Chinese and English. The City has been taking other steps to ensure Chinese-speaking voters OUR OFFICE HAS MOVED TO 519 BROADWAY, EVERETT SABATINO INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: Rocco Longo, Owner WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM Steve Winslow Ward 6 Councilor have full access to the ballot box. This past election, the City provided bilingual interpretation at every precinct, conducted extensive voter outreach among the Chinese-speaking population and created a hotline for live support if interpreters are unavailable. “This bill is the culmination of years of collaboration between advocates, voters, and the City. The work doesn’t stop here, but it’s a good time to pause and take stock of how much progress we have made,” said Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition Co-Founder Diana Jeong. “It took more than a village to get here, but in particular we are grateful for the tireless work of Mayor Christenson, City Clerk Lucey, Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian Representative Amanda Linehan Ward 3 Councillor Ultrino, Representative Donato, Representative Lipper-Garabedian, Senator Lewis, and all the voters who go above and beyond the exercise their right to the ballot box.” “As a Malden resident, a community organizer, and activist with limited English profi ciency, I am delighted to hear about the passage of a fully bilingual ballot home rule petition that includes transliteration of candidate names. I read, write, and speak some English but sometimes I am not 100% confi dent if I voted for the candidate I want. With candidate names in Chinese on the ballot, I would be 100% sure of the candidates I voted for,” said Chinese Progressive Association Worker Center Coordinator Fiona Yu. “This important win for the voting rights of Chinese Americans in Malden demonstrates how even something as seemingly obvious as the ability to read the name of your preferred candidate on the ballot must be hard fought and hard won. This law helps Chinese speakers have the voice they deserve in our democracy and to participate in the decision-making of the community they contribute to every day. Transliteration is a critical part of language access CELEBRATE | SEE PAGE 5
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