Resolution 158-1981
RESOLUTION NO~58 -1981
A RESOLUTION URGING SUPPORT OF UNITED STATES
SENATE BILL 53 AND HOUSE RULE 1407 REGARDING
A DECISION OF THAT PORTION OF THE VOTING
RIGHTS ACT WHICH REQUIRES PUBLICATION OF
BALLOTS IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE.
WHEREAS, Thirty states, including the five Florida counties,
are facing a problem in the elective procedures because of the
Voting Rights Act of 1965, amended by Congress in 1975; and
WHEREAS, the Code stipulates that in a voting area where 5%
or more of the citizen population of voting age includes members
of a single language minority all voting materials be duplicated
ln that language; and
WHEREAS, the latest census figures indicate that Monroe County
does have at least 5% Spanish speaking resident population.
This
figure is provided by the Bureau of Census and the County is there-
fore required to publish all printed matter relating to the elective
process in both English and Spanish; and
WHEREAS, the major costs in providing printed bilingual voting
material has been borne by the state and voting materials paid by
Monroe County is a relatively insignificant amount. However, staff
time is necessary in preparing bilingual ballots and polling place
instructions and providing bilingual poll attendants cannot be
dismissed as a negligible cost item. An estimate prepared in
November, 1978 stated that the cost nation-wide for non-English
printed election material that year reached a total of $3 million;
and
WHEREAS, the Immigration and Naturalization law has historically
provided that to become a naturalized citizen that people must have
a working knowledge of the English language; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Jefferson stated: "The strength of a democracy
rests on an enlightened citizenship." Did he envision citizens
of foregin bitth having voting privileges without having a basic
knowledge of the language of their adopted country? And
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WHEREAS, the failure to requlre a working knowledge of the
English language as a prerequisite to voting privilege encourages
the establishment and growth of ethnic ghettos and does not
encourage assimilation of immigrants into population at large,
thereby diminishing the "melting pot" image on which our past
deversity and strength are derived, now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA:
1. That the Board does h~reby urge the support of these
measures, both in Committee and when they reach the Floor.
2. That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward certified
copies of this resolution to Monroe County's Congressional Dele-
gation.
Passed and adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of
Monroe County, Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held
on the 2nd day of June, 1981.
BOARD OF
OF M
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY~FLORIDA t1
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By
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(Seal)
Attest:
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BY,
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