Bilingual election officials are sought

Kane County officials are forming an advisory panel to help recruit bilingual interpreters for the Feb. 5 primary election.

The Spanish-English interpreters will staff polling places in communities with sizable Hispanic populations, in accordance with an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, which sued the county for not adequately accommodating Spanish-speaking voters in the November 2006 election.

Joel Gonzales, a former county employee who is coordinating the effort, said Monday he hopes to have between 20 and 25 "community leaders" on the advisory group, which is expected to meet four times prior to the election and twice afterward. There are about six members so far.

Gonzales said the panel will primarily be tasked with recruiting bilingual interpreters from their communities. The county needs more than 50 to work in 49 precincts, including many in Elgin and Rutland townships, he said.

"It's a matter of trying to get these people (on the panel) to be an influence," Gonzales said. "We'll get it done. I have total faith."

The interpreters are not expected to help Spanish-speaking voters understand ballot items, as they already are presented in multiple languages. But the interpreters may help voters who go to the wrong polling place and need directions to another.

Regardless of the need, Gonzales said, having interpreters should encourage more Spanish-speaking residents to head to the polls.

"If we can get more people to get out there and vote, that's the main goal -- whether your name is Lopez or Smith," he said.

The panel is tentatively scheduled to meet Oct. 23 at an undetermined location, though the date could change. Its meetings will be open to the public.

For more information, call (630) 444-3062.