This commentary was contributed by Francisco Diaz, County Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent BenitoLink or other affiliated contributors. Lea este artículo en español aquí. 

When I first started working with the County back in 2012, our operations looked vastly different. At the time, our office was operating under a 2004 U.S. Department of Justice consent decree for failing to meet Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act. For a community rich in diversity, falling short on language access was a profound barrier to civic participation. That sobering reality set the course for a complete transformation of how we serve our public.

My very first tasks involved drafting and creating bilingual brochures with polling location information, carefully designating facilities, and detailing exact hours of operation.

Looking back, those early efforts feel like ages ago when considering how deeply language access is now integrated into our systems. It highlights how far we have come, from manually piecing paper translations to leveraging modern technology like translation tablets with over 200 languages accessible instantly through live video or phone support.

Today, I am proud to lead an office that deeply understands the community it serves. We have built a bilingual, bicultural team, ensuring that election material is fully translated and accessible. Compliance is no longer just a benchmark we meet; it is woven into the core culture of our customer service.

Proactive Outreach and Fruitful Partnerships
True accessibility requires going beyond the office walls and stepping out into the community meeting people where they live. Over the years, we have prioritized direct voter outreach through partnerships with dedicated local civic groups and community organizations.

Collaborating with organizations such as LULAC, Hope Services, Disability Rights California (DRC) and Community Foodbank has allowed us to bridge language gaps and address the distinct needs of our public. This collaborative spirit has yielded incredible milestones. Notably, our innovative creative outreach efforts were honored with 2024 National Association of Counties (NACo) Awards, highlighting what is possible when local government and community advocates lock arms for voting rights.

A Continuous Journey That Needs You
However, language accessibility and civic inclusion are not static destinations; they are ongoing, living processes that require continuous monitoring, evaluation, and active participation.

To maintain this momentum and ensure our policies reflect the voices of those we serve, the Elections Office established the Language Accessibility Advisory Committee (LAAC). The explicit mission of the LAAC is to advise elections staff on issues related to language accessibility, assisting with the implementation of federal and state laws.

Through the LAAC, we ensure that low-English-proficiency voters have full access to the electoral process and can easily understand voting procedures.

Join Us in Shaping the Future
As we look ahead, we recognize that building a truly transparent and accessible democracy cannot be done from behind a desk alone. It demands continuous participation from our community members.

We are actively inviting members of the public to step forward, share their perspectives, and participate in our quarterly meetings. Whether you want to join our advisory discussions, learn more about upcoming election services, or help us spread awareness, your voice matters.

To get involved, view meeting schedules, or learn more about language services, please email sbcvote@sanbenitocountca.gov or call 831-636-4016.

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