Las Vegas Sun

May 15, 2008

Sun editorial:

Abridging voting rights

‘English-only’ bill introduced by Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., is grossly unfair

Fri, May 9, 2008 (2:07 a.m.)

Dean Heller was generally considered to be a fair and competent Nevada secretary of state for the 12 years he held that position before being elected to the House of Representatives in 2006.

His strong advocacy for more disclosure by candidates on their campaign finance forms and his national leadership in bringing about voting machines that produce a paper trail were selling points for him as he successfully campaigned for the House.

But since arriving on Capitol Hill, as a representative of Northern Nevada and a slice of Clark County, Heller has been a big disappointment. For example, he recently voted against a bill that would have rolled back federal tax breaks for oil companies that are taking in record profits.

The money saved by ending the gratuitous tax breaks would have been invested in renewable energy industries that desperately need a favorable tax climate at this early stage of their development. Given Nevada’s vast potential for attracting renewable energy industries, Heller essentially voted against the creation of needed jobs here.

Now Heller is backing a bill that belies his energetic support for fair elections while secretary of state. He introduced legislation this week that would deny help during federal elections to voters still struggling with the English language.

Maybe Heller believes such a posture will play well in his district. But it goes against great national progress in ending discrimination at polling sites. Both the 2002 Help America Vote Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act were passed by Congress to encourage all citizens to vote, including those who are better able to understand complex ballot questions in their native language.

Heller told Gannett News Service that the federal government “does too much to cater to people who speak a different language.” His bill would require that ballots be printed in English only.

We believe that learning to speak, read and write English is important for all immigrants, and most are eventually successful. But why go to great lengths to make it difficult for or to disenfranchise those citizens whose circumstances have so far prevented them from fully gaining these skills?

In campaigning for the House, Heller said, “I’m a Nevadan first, a Republican second.” Well, then, he should show the country he is a good Nevadan, one for whom fairness and equality are values not to be traded off for political reasons.

Discussion: 3 comments so far…

  1. By HelenWeils
    5/9/08 at 6:57 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Hello, 87% of LEGAL Americans are against illegal immigration and I'll bet 100% of the LEGAL ONES are
    for making English the official language. Why should we be printing our ballots and other
    official documents in Spanish and other languages.
    I'm sure you want all the illegals to be able to vote so you can stack the Democratic party with
    illegals but thank God, Dean Heller is putting this bill in.
    Meanwhile we are having to deal with the reverse racism generated by the likes of Rev. Wright because we have pandered to them.
    Life is tough, deal with it. Step up to the plate and speak english and get a job and quit expecting the world to revolve around you.
    AND QUIT WHINING!!!!

  2. By VegasBill
    5/9/08 at 2:28 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    To become a citizen of the United State of America, you must pass a test written in English. You must prove that you can read and write in English. It's safe to assume that native citizens of voting age already can read and write in English. It seems to me that people are getting all caught up in the current hype over undocumented aliens who often don't speak English. Providing services to people or aliens who don't speak English is another issue completely. We're talking about the right to vote here - not social services. Let's face it citizens, we can all speak English and having ballots in our language makes sense. There is no reason to print ballots in other languages. Period. What language you choose to speak in the privacy of your own home is your business. My parents often spoke pig-latin to keep conversations private. There are countless programs to help people gain better comprehension of complicated ballot issues. Mr. Heller's bill does not stand a chance of passage but underscores how the majority feel. The power of government to conduct business in the language of the majority is a just goal. Sooner or later the business of printing government forms, ballots and applications in multiple languages will end. I hope it occurs sooner. Nybodya orfa a amega of hessca?

  3. By Johnathan_Abbinett
    5/9/08 at 3:45 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    GREAT EDITORIAL! The best reason for printing ballots in a variety of languages is because we ARE a nation of immigrants and we want people to understand, as fully as possible, who and what issues they are voing on - pro or con - as the point you clearly make!

    It's so simple even some simpletons may not get it? But, then, the irony is this issue is all about comprehension - HA!

    We allow immigrants taking the new citizenship test plenty of time and assistance when doing so - and that's a lousy comparison to helping someone quickly move through the voting process!

    Obviously, Heller, Wells and whoever the anonymous coward "Vegas Bill" is just don't get it - we are Americans FIRST, Nevadans SECOND and our political party affiliation should be LAST!

    I am shocked by the amount of blatant racism that still exists in our society in 2008! When will these people go the way of the canniblas and become nearly extinct? The sooner the better as far as I'm concerned!

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Tracy Lawrence

Tracy Lawrence

With special guest Randy Houser ( House of Blues)