Elections: voters; language assistance for elections act; create. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0961'26, SB 0962'26

Senate Bill 963 creates the Language Assistance for Elections Act to require Michigan local governments to provide election materials in languages other than English for residents with limited English proficiency. The law mandates that counties, cities, and townships must offer translated ballots, voting instructions, and signage if their population includes a specific number of voters who share a single non-English language. The Secretary of State will publish a list of affected jurisdictions and languages annually, while also providing certified translations and electronic voting systems to ensure accuracy. Local governments will be reimbursed for additional costs associated with implementing these translation and testing requirements.