Why the ballot is in English and Spanish

I just want to share some U.S./Puerto Rican history for all of those individuals who got upset because the ballot and all election-related information will be in English and Spanish.

After the Spanish-American War of 1898, Puerto Rico became a territory of the United States. The Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917 made Puerto Ricans United States citizens, therefore, eligible for the military draft. As citizens of the United States, Puerto Ricans have participated in every major military engagement since World War 1.

Puerto Rico was granted local autonomy in 1952. Spanish and English are spoken on the island, but the predominant language is Spanish. Both the Puerto Rican and American flags are flown at schools and government buildings. Puerto Ricans on the island are required to pay most U.S. federal taxes and pay into Social Security. In 2009, Puerto Rico paid $3.742 billion into the U.S. Treasury.

Even though Puerto Ricans pay federal taxes, they are represented in the U.S. Congress by a nonvoting delegate.

Puerto Ricans cannot vote in U.S. presidential elections, but can vote in primaries.

Therefore, when Puerto Ricans come to the United States and are residents, they have a right to register and vote. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 Section 4(e) secures the voting rights of “persons educated in American-flag schools in which the predominant classroom language was other than English.” This Act was violated by the Orange County Board of Elections; therefore, the Department of Justice sued the county.

Now that the county and the Department of Justice have settled the lawsuit, all election-related material, including the ballot, absentee applications and absentee ballots, will be in Spanish. Also bilingual assistance will be provided.

Now Spanish-speaking voters in Orange County will have equal access to the ballot box.

Connie Calderin Town of Blooming Grove