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Community advocates, city and state officials call for full voting rights for limited English proficient, Asian American voters

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  On Wednesday at City Hall, voting rights advocates called for state leaders to adopt a bill allowing the City of Malden to provide fully bilingual ballots to ensure Chinese-speaking voters have full access to the polls before the November election. The bill was adopted by the Massachusetts House of Representatives, but it has yet to be adopted by the Senate.

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Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition Vice President Yu Sin Mok displayed what the ballot would look like – if the legislation passes.
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Voter Yu Qin Liang (seated), translated by Yu Sin Mok, said she does not read nor speak English, but she’d still like to have a voice in voting.
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Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition Vice President Yu Sin Mok guided State Representative Steven Ultrino to find his name on a sample Chinese ballot.
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State Senator Jason Lewis said voters – in any language – should be able to cast their ballot for the candidate of their choice.
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State Representative Steven Ultrino (at right) said everyone should have access to vote in their language.
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Poll Worker Xuguang Xu encouraged everyone to get out and vote.
members
Pictured from left to right: Asian Community Development Corp./Malden Civic Engagement Coordinator Terry Yin, Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition Co-Founder/Board Member Mai Du and Malden Chinese Culture Connection Member Mei Hung looked on during Wednesday’s press conference.
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Mayor Gary Christenson, who takes Chinese classes on Sunday mornings, spoke in Chinese at the podium. He said they need state support for a home rule petition.
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State Senator Jason Lewis (far left) searched for his name on a sample Chinese ballot.
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State Representative Paul Donato cosponsored the bill.
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Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition Vice President Yu Sin Mok asked candidates to find their names on a sample ballot.
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State Representative Paul Donato found his name on a sample ballot.
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During Wednesday’s press conference at City Hall, Chinese Progressive Association Executive Director Karen Chen said their members just want to vote.

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