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Measure would let parties include translated arguments in state voters pamphlet
Summary
Senate Bill 1014 would allow statewide political parties or assemblies of electors to submit translations of statement of arguments into any of the top five non-English languages for inclusion in translated state voters pamphlets available online; sponsor representation said the bill does not require the state to provide translations.
Senate Bill 1014 would permit translations of a party—9s statement of arguments to be included in the translated versions of the state voters pamphlet posted online, provided the translations are into one of the top five most commonly spoken languages in Oregon other than English. Aaron Lewis testified on behalf of Senate Majority Leader Casey Jama in support of the bill.
Lewis said the bill simply allows parties the option to submit translations; it does not require the state to perform translations nor compel parties to translate their statements. "Senate bill 10 14 contributes to that work and is a no cost easy fix that will increase meaningful understanding and participation in our elections," Lewis said, referencing prior session work on language access.
The measure as summarized applies to state and county voters pamphlets distributed on or after Jan. 31, 2026, and the sponsor's representative said the bill passed the Senate Rules Committee unanimously. No committee vote occurred in this House Rules meeting; the item was heard as a public hearing and closed after testimony.
Proponents described the bill as advancing civic engagement and building on earlier legislative work to expand translations of voters pamphlets; the committee did not receive testimony requiring additional fiscal detail in this hearing.
