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Translation Advisory Committee (TAC)

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) |  Translation Resources (coming soon)

 


In 2025, the Translation Advisory Committee was established by Public Act 25-168, §§ 297 & 298, which is codified at CGS §§ 9-236c and 9-236d. The Translation Advisory Committee (TAC) works together with the Office of the Secretary of the State to ensure that translated election materials are accurate, culturally appropriate, legally compliant, and useful to voters across the state.  

TAC reviews translated election materials to make sure they are accurate, easy to understand, and appropriate for the communities they serve. The committee meets periodically to review submissions, provide guidance to municipalities, and address emerging translation needs. These special sessions are open to the public, and meeting links will be posted on this webpage in advance.

Any town or city that is required to provide election information in a language other than English must:

• Use professional translators for all election materials

• Send their translated materials to TAC for review no later than 65 days before any election, primary, or referendum

Currently, Spanish is the only language designated by the Secretary under CGS § 9-368l. TAC’s goal is to help all voters access trustworthy information, remove language barriers, and support fair participation in Connecticut elections.

Please send any questions regarding the Translation Advisory Committee (TAC) to SOTS.TranslationAdvisoryCommittee@CT.gov. 

 

Translation Advisory Committee Membership

The Translation Advisory Committee (TAC) is currently composed of the following six members:

• Luis Luna – Chair

• Emily Luna – Vice Chair

• Maria (Lety) Bell

• July Miliano

• Ana Perez-Girones

• Patricia Spruance

• Iris Vizcarrondo


If you are interested in joining the Translation Advisory Committee (TAC), please express interest by sending a message to SOTS.TranslationAdvisoryCommittee@CT.gov.

 

Municipalities Required to Provide Language Assistance

 

Required Assistance

Municipalities that are subject to the language requirement must provide “competent assistance in each designated language and shall provide related materials (1) in English, and (2) in each designated language, including registration or voting notices, forms, instructions, assistance, ballots or other materials or information relating to the electoral process…” CGS Sec. 9-368l(e). This means that in addition to voter registration cards and ballots, the municipality must provide translations for all election-related forms, notices, instructions, posters, and other materials. The statute does not permit reliance on an automated translation service alone.

 

Recruitment of Translation Advisory Committee Members

The Office of the Secretary of the State is actively recruiting additional members of the Translation Advisory Committee (TAC). The Secretary of the State appoints qualified applicants who meet the following requirements:

• Are current residents of Connecticut;

• Have experience in one or more municipalities served by translated election-related materials;

• Are proficient in reading and writing in both English and one or more Spanish dialects spoken in Connecticut; and

• Have experience in either election administration (such as serving as a poll worker) or bilingual educational settings or community assistance programs.

Once an application is determined to satisfy the statutory criteria and the translation exercise response is approved, an application will be forwarded to the TAC for consideration for appointment.

There is a short application and translation exercise required for prospective members.

 

Translation Advisory Committee Public Meetings

TAC holds periodic special sessions to review translated election materials and address emerging translation needs. All the Translation Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings are open to the public, and meeting links will be posted on this webpage and on the Connecticut State Agency Public Meeting Calendar.

 

Translation Advisory Committee Translated Materials

Municipalities required to provide election information in languages other than English must submit their translated materials to the Translation Advisory Committee (TAC). While the Secretary of the State does not approve or endorse specific translators or organizations, below are some resources that may help towns locate professionals who meet the statutory definition. This is not an exhaustive list, and qualified service providers can be found elsewhere.

 

  • Department of Administrative Services List: The Department of Administrative Services (DAS) is a Connecticut state agency overseeing many government functions and acts as a service provider and administrator for other state departments and agencies

 

Approved translated materials that may be used state-wide will be made available here as they are finalized.

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s Spanish glossary also supports consistent terminology across all materials.

 

*Revised 5/2026