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Michigan Advance: Hamtramck settles Voting Rights Act lawsuit, will provide Bengali language assistance
By Ken Coleman/Michigan Advance
After the Asian-American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) sued the city of Hamtramck for violating the federal Voting Rights Act, a court order and consent decree have been issued, calling for the metro Detroit city to provide a more ethnically diverse elections environment.
“I am really happy to hear that this agreement was reached,” said Rahima Begum, the plaintiff. “For many years I struggled to vote because I couldn’t understand the ballot and needed the help of my children to translate it. Not only would having the ballots translated and Bengali poll workers help me, but it will also benefit many other Bengalis who are unable to vote due to a language barrier. I am confident that it will encourage more people to vote and participate in the democratic system.” . . .