Nepali Americans Struggle with Voter Education and Language Barriers in U.S. Elections

“Are we allowed to vote in elections other than the presidential election held every four years?” Bishnu Maya Pariyar, a Nepali American in New York City, recently became a citizen and was surprised to learn that there are elections besides the presidential one held every four years. Many Nepali Americans, like Bishnu Maya, face challenges due to a lack of voter education and language barriers. After obtaining US citizenship in 2019, she voted only in the 2020 presidential election and voiced her curiosity. When asked how many times she had voted since becoming an American citizen, she admitted that she didn’t know she was allowed to vote in elections other than the presidential election, which occurs every four years in November.

Not only Bishnu Maya but also many other Nepali Americans are unaware of when and where elections for various positions will be held. Bishnu Maya mentioned that she hadn’t voted after the 2020 presidential election because she lacked information about other elections and the candidates running for positions such as the Senate, House of Representatives, Governor, State Senate, Assembly, and City Councils.

According to Census 2020 data, the Nepali population in the USA has increased by 269 percent over the past the decade. The Nepali community has established itself as the fastest-growing Asian group, with a population of 50,000 or more in 2010. However, issues facing the Nepali community, including language barriers, persist, hindering their access to government resources, accurate election information, and understanding of the voting process.

“In Nepal, I also worked as an election observer. We had to teach others how to vote. But after coming to the USA, I became a bit confused,” Bishnu Maya recounted her experience. “In Nepal, we used to use a swastika seal. I assumed it would be the same here. When I voted for the first time, I marked a tick inside the oval to be filled in with ink. There was much confusion about where to vote due to the lengthy ballot paper. Consequently, the initial ballot paper was damaged, and the machine failed to scan it. I had to request another ballot paper and vote again, resulting in a prolonged voting process.”

Bishnu Maya can communicate effectively in English under normal circumstances. However, she mentioned having difficulty understanding election materials and learning about voters’ rights due to her limited command of the language. Questions such as how to vote, voters’ rights, candidate positions on the ballot, and locating polling stations pose challenges for many Nepali-American voters who struggle with English. Bishnu Maya believes that providing resources in the Nepali language on election-related topics and other issues would make many Nepali-American voters who lack proficiency in English more comfortable.

A study by the Pew Research Center revealed that nearly half of the Nepali population in the USA lacks proficiency in English. Among Nepalis aged five and above, only 51 percent have proficiency in English, while 49 percent struggle due to their lack of English language skills. Even those who are proficient in English face challenges in understanding official language materials. Furthermore, those who wish to learn English through free language classes offered in New York City struggle due to a shortage of instructors who teach English from Nepali.

Similarly, Nepali American Chhemang Lama, a resident of New York, has voted three times in US elections, but the upcoming presidential election will be his first time participating in it. He admitted to feeling confused during his initial voting experience. He remarked, “When I went to vote for the first time, translators were available in various languages, but none in Nepali. Consequently, many people find it challenging to understand the voting process during their first voting experience. I almost left without voting on my first attempt because I wasn’t sure what to do.”

The number of Nepali American voters increases significantly each year. According to the Department of Homeland Security data, in fiscal year 2020, out of 5,793 Nepalis who acquired US citizenship, 530 were residents of New York. In fiscal year 2021, 7,232 Nepalese individuals obtained US citizenship, with 855 of them residing in New York. In fiscal year 2022, 9,408 Nepalese individuals acquired US citizenship, with 1,031 residing in New York. Comparing these figures to the 2020 presidential election, the number of eligible Nepali American voters for the upcoming presidential election has increased by nearly 30,000, totaling around 100,000 eligible voters.

The New York City Civic Engagement Commission provides language assistance in various languages at polling stations across the city, except for Nepali. Although the New York City Board of Elections offers its translation service, Nepali is not included. Despite Sunnyside, Woodside, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and Corona having the highest number of Nepali speakers within the community language profile of New York City, Nepali translators are unavailable even at polling stations in these areas. Consequently, first-time voters encounter greater confusion.

Chhemang Lama recounted his experience: “I watched YouTube videos on how to vote,” he said. “It’s evident that many people don’t know how to vote, which discourages them from going to the polling station. First-time voters often struggle to determine whether to use the same marking technique used in other forms in the USA. Mistakes in voting can lead to the machine failing to scan the ballot, requiring voters to cast their votes two or three times. Unlike in Nepal, where ballots are deposited in ballot boxes, confusion arises when using scanning machines. Due to language barriers, obtaining information from polling station staff or volunteers is challenging. Some individuals even return home with their ballot papers.”

Voters in New York City have the right to vote in their preferred language, allowing them to bring their own language interpreter to the polling station. However, they cannot bring their employer or union representative; they can only bring a friend, family member, or translator. Despite the local government of New York City distributing flyers and resources about voters’ rights in 13 different languages, such materials are unavailable in Nepali. Consequently, many Nepali voters remain unaware of their rights.

Shyam Karki, president of the Minority Empowerment Network, an organization dedicated to empowering the Nepali community in New York, emphasized that many voters are unaware that they can bring friends or family members to assist them in voting. He stated, “If such materials were available in the Nepali language, many voters would feel more comfortable. Unfortunately, neither government-run programs nor social organizations have effectively conducted voter education programs.”

Karki explained that his organization does its best to disseminate available resources within the community but faces limitations due to budget constraints. He noted that although they provide information on voter registration and encourage voter turnout, they struggle to conduct comprehensive voter education programs. Aadit Siwakoti, a Nepali community organizer from DRUM (Desis Rising Up and Moving), an organization focused on South Asian community issues, echoed similar sentiments, stating that although they’ve made efforts, it hasn’t been enough. He emphasized the need for increased resources for civic engagement and voter education programs in the Nepali language.

Bashu Phulara, a Nepali American immigration lawyer, emphasizes that the lack of voter education initiatives at the government level is a major hindrance. Phulara, who lives in Astoria Heights, New York, is also a Nepali American voter. He remarked, “Language barriers faced by Nepali American voters in New York City discourage them from exercising their right to vote. Information provided by the local government and election boards is not available in Nepali, making it difficult for those who don’t understand English. Consequently, many Nepalis, despite obtaining US citizenship, have not registered to vote. Even among those who have registered, confusion often deters them from voting.”

This confusion isn’t limited to those who don’t speak English; even English-speaking Nepali Americans are often unaware of their voting rights. Phulara emphasized that effective government-led voter education programs are crucial. He suggested that local governments should collaborate with community associations to advance voter education initiatives. Furthermore, candidates themselves should take more initiative in explaining the voting process and voters’ rights. Phulara stressed the need for comprehensive campaigns, including booklets and pamphlets in Nepali, as well as model ballot papers.

Efforts to address these challenges are ongoing. However, limited resources hamper their effectiveness. Both Shyam Karki and Adit Sivakoti underscored the need for increased resources for civic engagement and voter education programs. Despite these challenges, organizations like the Minority Empowerment Network and Drum continue to work within their means to provide information and encourage voter participation among Nepali Americans.

“The language barrier remains a significant obstacle for Nepali American voters in New York City. A lack of information and understanding of the voting process, coupled with limited resources for voter education, continues to hinder voter participation. Addressing these challenges will require concerted efforts from government agencies, community organizations, and advocacy groups to ensure that all eligible voters, regardless of language proficiency, can exercise their democratic rights effectively,” said Dr. Rajan Thapalia (Ph.D.), Nepali American author and instructor residing in Jackson Heights.

This story was produced as part of the 2024 Elections Reporting Mentorship, organized by the Center for Community Media and funded by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.