Iowa Secretary of State Michael Mauro says his office will not appeal a ruling which prohibits the state from providing voter registration forms in languages other than English. A fifth district court judge ruled that the Secretary of State’s office was violating state law by offering voter registration forms in languages other than English.
Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal says state lawmakers won’t be repealing the English-only law in the foreseeable future. "It’s not likely we would revisit that law, either in whole or in part. We’ll be happy to work with advocacy groups on figuring out the best way to make sure people can access their legal rights, but I doubt very seriously we’d pursue legislation to repeal," Gronstal said.
Former Governor Vilsack signed the English-only legislation in 2002 that specified all government communications should be in English. Secretary of State Mauro says his office will work with the State Attorney General to offer help for non-English speaking voters.