LEON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) — A federal judge has ruled that 32 Florida counties, including Leon and Wakulla County, must provide ballots in Spanish, beginning with the presidential primary election in March of next year.
This is great news for those of the Spanish and Hispanic heritage.
WTXL's Stephanie Rank spoke to one woman who says that sometimes people know how to speak a little bit of English, but they cannot read or write in English. So having dual paperwork is an insurance that they can let their voices be heard when they vote.
Mark Early, Leon County's Supervisor of Elections, says this will hopefully improve voter turnout.
The ruling focuses on the influx of Puerto Rican voters who were educated in schools where the predominant language was not English.
"We are always trying to empower voters and I'm glad to know that we have those resources available. I'm glad to put those resources available," said Early.
Early adds that he thinks soon the entire state of Florida will have Spanish ballots available.
Currently 15 counties in Florida already offer Spanish ballots to voters.
