After Salem Election Trial, Group Wants Spanish Ballots

SALEM, MA — A group that advocates on behalf of Latinos in Salem said it will renew efforts to have the city offer election ballots in both English and Spanish. The move by the Latino Leadership Coalition comes after a lawsuit challenging the Ward 6 City Council election results centered on a claim by a Spanish-speaking voter that he was not allowed to vote. The group outlined its concerns in a letter to the Salem News.

"The LLC will renew efforts to work with the City Council and mayor in the hope of securing special legislation authorizing Spanish language ballots in future elections," LLC President Grace Duran and Vice President Omar Longus wrote. We affirm our commitment to inform and educate the Latino community on voting rights and procedures and will continue to work with the city to ensure the enfranchisement of all our citizens.