# Hunting for english voting instructions (not to be a cock, but seriously, you guys) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 4, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-english-voting-instructions-not-to-be-a-cock-but-seriously-you-guys/471146 "2008-11-04T21:20:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Freejooky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ba8739/32.png) [@Freejooky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freejooky)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-english-voting-instructions-not-to-be-a-cock-but-seriously-you-guys/471146/1 "2008-11-04T21:20:43Z")
I actually took about twice as long to vote today because the English instructions were all but buried between massive sprays of spidery, asian-looking characters, something that looked like cyrillic, everyone’s favorite standby ¡Español!, and something that I _think_ may have been polish. There were no less than eight or nine languages splattered all over all voting materials, as though I was voting in some sort of exotic foreign embassy where English was not the language of the area I was in but one of many equal options. Seriously, you guys, if you can’t read English you probably have no business voting. Whatever happened to integration when you become a citizen? If accommodating people that refuse to learn the local language actually makes it more difficult for natural citizens and those that have willfully integrated to vote, something has gotten mixed up along the way. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-english-voting-instructions-not-to-be-a-cock-but-seriously-you-guys/471146/2 "2008-11-04T21:26:45Z")
Welcome to the beautiful multicultural rainbow which is modern America. You know, the place where the English speaking majority has to press 2 to conduct their business in English. I hope you don’t mind honor killings or the neighbors having chickens and goats in their backyards. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-english-voting-instructions-not-to-be-a-cock-but-seriously-you-guys/471146/3 "2008-11-04T21:27:04Z")
You hate America, don’t you? ---
**Author:** ![Szlater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Szlater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Szlater)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-english-voting-instructions-not-to-be-a-cock-but-seriously-you-guys/471146/4 "2008-11-04T21:27:15Z")
> [@Freejooky](#): > > Seriously, you guys, if you can’t read English you probably have no business voting. Didn’t literacy tests go out with segregation? ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-english-voting-instructions-not-to-be-a-cock-but-seriously-you-guys/471146/5 "2008-11-04T21:33:09Z")
I didn’t get nothin’ but English all up on my franchise. \ ---
**Author:** ![Interconnected\_Series\_of\_Tubes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/13edae/32.png) [@Interconnected\_Series\_of\_Tubes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Interconnected_Series_of_Tubes)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-english-voting-instructions-not-to-be-a-cock-but-seriously-you-guys/471146/6 "2008-11-04T21:34:18Z")
> [@Szlater](#): > > Didn’t literacy tests go out with segregation? If you can’t speak the language in which the overwhelming majority of the information related to your vote (and the consequences thereof) is communicated then you have absolutely no business voting. Wanting to ensure that the public is, at the bare minimum, _capable_ of making an informed decision does not equal racism, sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-english-voting-instructions-not-to-be-a-cock-but-seriously-you-guys/471146/7 "2008-11-04T21:36:34Z")
You mean they can’t read about the candidates in newspapers, etc., written in their own languages? ---
**Author:** ![jadler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a87d85/32.png) [@jadler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jadler)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-english-voting-instructions-not-to-be-a-cock-but-seriously-you-guys/471146/8 "2008-11-04T21:38:48Z")
I’m actually on the English only side with this. I mean seriously people consider the fact that we are mostly an English speaking country. (It **is** after all our official language.) I’d say English only in a voting place. Possibly with the exception of Spanish due to the fact that it is a major second language in America. (Still a minority though compared to English). If we included everyone though, soon we are going to have no official language at all! What then? Plus consider the fact that the candidates themselves speak English. On the day we have a Spanish speaking POTUS then allow Spanish on a ballot. Until then keep it somewhat consistent. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-english-voting-instructions-not-to-be-a-cock-but-seriously-you-guys/471146/9 "2008-11-04T21:39:01Z")
> [@Szlater](#): > > Didn’t literacy tests go out with segregation? For voting, yes, but you need to pass one to become a citizen. No citizen = no vote. ---
**Author:** ![Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7993a0/32.png) [@Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamaika_a_jamaikaiake)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-english-voting-instructions-not-to-be-a-cock-but-seriously-you-guys/471146/10 "2008-11-04T21:41:22Z")
> [@Freejooky](#): > > Seriously, you guys, if you can’t read English you probably have no business voting. You’re an asshole. ---
**Author:** ![Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7993a0/32.png) [@Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamaika_a_jamaikaiake)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-english-voting-instructions-not-to-be-a-cock-but-seriously-you-guys/471146/11 "2008-11-04T21:42:22Z")
> [@jadler](#): > > I’m actually on the English only side with this. I mean seriously people consider the fact that we are mostly an English speaking country. (It **is** after all our official language.) > > I’d say English only in a voting place. Possibly with the exception of Spanish due to the fact that it is a major second language in America. (Still a minority though compared to English). If we included everyone though, soon we are going to have no official language at all! What then? > > Plus consider the fact that the candidates themselves speak English. On the day we have a Spanish speaking POTUS then allow Spanish on a ballot. Until then keep it somewhat consistent. You’re just stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-english-voting-instructions-not-to-be-a-cock-but-seriously-you-guys/471146/12 "2008-11-04T21:43:07Z")
> [@jadler](#): > > It **is** after all our official language. You’re kidding, right? The US has _never_ had an official language, whether English or any other. I recall reading about some _states_ that do, but that’s a different story. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-english-voting-instructions-not-to-be-a-cock-but-seriously-you-guys/471146/13 "2008-11-04T21:43:20Z")
> [@LonesomePolecat](#): > > Welcome to the beautiful multicultural rainbow which is modern America. You know, the place where the English speaking majority has to press 2 to conduct their business in English. I hope you don’t mind honor killings or the neighbors having chickens and goats in their backyards. Do you have some sort of radar that draws you to these threads, like flies to shit? ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-english-voting-instructions-not-to-be-a-cock-but-seriously-you-guys/471146/14 "2008-11-04T21:47:17Z")
> [@Maeglin](#): > > Do you have some sort of radar that draws you to these threads, like flies to shit? If you look in the dictionary under ‘xenophobia,’ there is a picture of **LonesomePolecat**. ---
**Author:** ![Jayn\_Newell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jayn\_Newell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayn_Newell)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-english-voting-instructions-not-to-be-a-cock-but-seriously-you-guys/471146/15 "2008-11-04T21:57:35Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > You’re kidding, right? The US has _never_ had an official language, whether English or any other. I recall reading about some _states_ that do, but that’s a different story. You ever think that maybe the US should declare an official language or two already? It’s not like there’s that many languages that’re widely spoken around here. I swear, right now it seems like “I don’t care what language you speak as long as it’s English.” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-english-voting-instructions-not-to-be-a-cock-but-seriously-you-guys/471146/16 "2008-11-04T21:57:53Z")
> [@LonesomePolecat](#): > > Welcome to the beautiful multicultural rainbow which is modern America. You know, the place where the English speaking majority has to press 2 to conduct their business in English. I hope you don’t mind honor killings or the neighbors having chickens and goats in their backyards. haha I had no idea **LonesomePolecat** was such a nutjob. Now I know. I think **LonesomePolecat** could use some cheap Canadian prescription drugs. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-english-voting-instructions-not-to-be-a-cock-but-seriously-you-guys/471146/17 "2008-11-04T22:41:36Z")
> [@LonesomePolecat](#): > > the English speaking majority has to press 2 to conduct their business in English. I’ve never had to do this. Where do you live that this is happening? > [@](#): > > the neighbors having chickens and goats in their backyards. Oh, I hear you. My neighbours raise goats in their yards. Of course, this is rural Virginia, and they’re farmers. Is there even any point in pitting him? ---
**Author:** ![Interconnected\_Series\_of\_Tubes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/13edae/32.png) [@Interconnected\_Series\_of\_Tubes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Interconnected_Series_of_Tubes)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-english-voting-instructions-not-to-be-a-cock-but-seriously-you-guys/471146/18 "2008-11-04T22:52:09Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > You mean they can’t read about the candidates in newspapers, etc., written in their own languages? You’re not honestly suggesting that the political coverage in any other language is comparable, or even adequate, when compared to that given in English, are you? Only Spanish would seem to have a reasonable chance at competition. Every major newspaper is English, every major news station, is in English. The televised debates, the rally speeches, the campaign statements, talking head analysis: all in English. Of course I’m certain that some translation takes place - but then who fronts the bill for that? Who pays up to re-broadcast the message in their language of choice? You guys can scream “racists!” if you please, but whether you like it or not, English **is** the language, if not officially, of America. I’m not opposed to secondary ballots on Spanish; demographics indicate there’s a reasonable demand for such. Shotgunning every language of the ethnic pie chart is ridiculous across the voting pamphlets is ridiculous. And yes; if you want to be American, you should speak English. But that’s my personal opinion. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-english-voting-instructions-not-to-be-a-cock-but-seriously-you-guys/471146/19 "2008-11-04T22:58:59Z")
> [@jadler](#): > > I mean seriously people consider the fact that we are mostly an English speaking country. (It **is** after all our official language.) Franubularnaplag gleenoox schplorct. That’s friedonese for “no it isn’t.” That said, I wouldn’t be entirely _against_ a more difficult literacy/proficiency test for citizenship. You gotta put a _little_ bit of effort in. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-english-voting-instructions-not-to-be-a-cock-but-seriously-you-guys/471146/20 "2008-11-04T23:09:57Z")
I agree, it should be all english. If you can’t read English and can’t speak it, you’re stupid. Dumb as a rock. There’s no way a person that doesn’t know English could possibly make an informed decision about a candidate. Seriously, you guys think, what, that the whole world is watching this election? Clearly it takes money to translate the media, so it therefore doesn’t ever happen…ever. I mean, really, how could a person speak Mexican or be from Cyrillia and not be utterly uninformed and stupid? Jeez, all it takes is, like, 5 minutes to learn English. I say if they want to vote, they have to be like me. :rolleyes: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunting-for-english-voting-instructions-not-to-be-a-cock-but-seriously-you-guys/471146.md?page=2)