WASHINGTON — Federal observers documented repeated issues with Alaska Native language support during the Nov. 8 general election, months after flagging concerns with election protocols in August.
During the August special U.S. House and primary elections, the Department of Justice sent federal observers to some predominantly Alaska Native polling stations to assess language accommodations for Yup'ik speakers. Reports identified what appeared to be violations of the law at some polling locations that are required to provide language assistance.
The Justice Department again deployed federal observers during the Nov. 8 general election to six jurisdictions where accommodations for Yup'ik speakers are required. Reports showed lingering problems, including poll workers who did not receive mandatory language assistance training and a lack of translated election materials.
