[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 42 (Friday, March 8, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E275]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CULTURAL COMPETENCY OF POLL WORKERS AMENDMENT TO H.R. 1

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GRACE MENG

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 8, 2019

  Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my excitement about 
the passage of H.R. 1. I am especially pleased that my amendment to 
increase the cultural competency of poll workers was adopted as a part 
of this historic bill.
  I represent New York's 6th district in Queens, New York--a robust and 
diverse community. I understand firsthand that voters in every district 
are unique. Poll workers should not only be aware of the intricacies of 
state voting laws, but the ways in which individuals have different 
needs at the polls as well.
  Poll workers are a crucial component to elections at every level of 
our democracy. These individuals check with voters to verify 
information and either hand voters a ballot or direct individuals to a 
voting machine. They ensure order and efficiency on Election Day.
  My amendment requires that poll worker manuals contain cultural 
competency training information. Those who work our polls will learn 
strategies to help voters who come from diverse backgrounds, live with 
disabilities, or have limited English proficiency--regardless of 
gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Cultural competency 
training will decrease congestion at the voting booth and ensure that 
all voters are able to participate in our democracy to the fullest.
  I thank my colleagues Representative Chu, Representative Grijalva, 
and Representative Pressley for co-sponsoring this amendment with me. I 
look forward to continuing my work on the expansion of voting rights in 
the 116th Congress.

                          ____________________