HB21-1011: Ballot Access for All Citizens Act

• Establishes a multilingual ballot hotline operated by the Secretary of State to provide qualified translators in languages spoken by at least 2,000 Colorado residents age 18+ who speak English less than very well, beginning with the November 2022 general election and all subsequent general and statewide odd-year elections.

• Requires county clerks in counties meeting threshold criteria (either 2,000+ minority language speakers or 2.5%+ of population speaking English less than very well) to provide minority language sample ballots and in-person minority language ballots starting November 2022.

• Designates Legislative Council Staff to provide translations of all statewide ballot questions to the Secretary of State, who distributes them to affected counties for use in creating multilingual ballots.

• Specifies that qualified translators must be screened, tested, and accredited by nationally recognized translation associations, and may only assist with ballot language translation without providing explanations or arguments for candidates or measures.

• Appropriates $82,800 to the Department of State for the 2021-22 fiscal year to implement the act, with the state endeavoring to provide financial assistance to counties to offset compliance costs.