Some 16% of Coloradans speak a language other than English and many are eligible to vote, though officials said language barriers can hinder their ability to participate in elections. 

To address this, many Colorado counties have made use of real-time translation devices and state resources, while also adopting their own tools to break down language barriers and ensure all eligible voters had the opportunity to cast ballots last Tuesday.

Meet Pocketalk, a real-time translation device that uses AI

Several Colorado counties, including Denver, Mesa and Jefferson, purchased pocket-sized devices that look similar to a smartphone and can translate speech and text in real time. 

Known as Pocketalk, the device was created in 2017 as a way to help travelers navigate language barriers while abroad. In recent years, however, its usage has expanded beyond tourism to include businesses and government agencies, according to Doug Bieter, Pocketalk’s head of partnerships . 

Pocketalk devices are compatible with WiFi, LTE and international data, and can translate between 84 different languages using speech recognition technology and artificial intelligence. They’re safe and secure, too, the company said.

Conversations are not stored, and the products are compliant with HIPAA, FERPA, and ISO standards, the company added. 

Bieter said Pocketalks have been especially helpful during elections since ballot language can often be confusing — for both native English speakers and non-native speakers. 

“The process of voting, if you’re a non-English speaker, can be a bit stressful,” he said. “So, we’ve had elections officials that have adopted the product to really help the process and make sure that the voting process can be smooth for anyone who maybe isn’t familiar with it or is not an English speaker.”

While many voting centers have Spanish speakers available, it can be challenging to find someone proficient in less commonly-spoken languages.

“What if there’s a Burmese-speaking person who comes into the polling booth?” asked Bieter. “This really allows for a breadth of languages, which is certainly broader now than it’s ever been.”

Feedback so far has been positive, Bieter said, adding that many of the counties that have started to use Pocketalks are expecting an increase in voter turnout from non-native English speakers.

“It’s really about reducing tension and allowing the discussion to happen, whether that’s between a doctor and a patient or a police officer and somebody they’ve pulled over,” he said. “Certainly at polling centers, it can be a bit nerve-wracking if you don’t understand the process and what you’re trying to do. So really, it’s about reducing tension and allowing for free-flowing communication.”

The Denver Elections Division first introduced Pocketalk devices during last June’s primary election to improve accessibility for non-English speaking voters, and the agency continued to use them in Tuesday’s general election.  

“Language should not be a barrier for eligible voters to make their voices heard,” Denver Clerk Paul Lopez said in a news release. “We are proud that our office is giving our polling center staff the ability to communicate with our non-English speakers at any time. This underscores our commitment to executing equitable, fair, and accessible elections.” 

Counties take action 

Jefferson County initially implemented Pocketalk devices in its motor vehicle department, but its usage has since expanded significantly, according to Jefferson County Clerk Amanda Gonzalez. 

“We wanted to make sure that all of our constituents felt welcome,” she said. “Part of my goal when I was elected and came into this office was building inclusion, accessibility, and trust, and when you show up at a government office and they aren’t able to meet your needs because there’s a language barrier, that’s the opposite of inspiring trust, because I think it feels confusing or it might feel like you’re not welcome.”

The county now uses the devices in its recording office to help residents with documents like passports and marriage licenses, as well as the elections division.   

“They’ve been a tremendous help with those other languages where we might not always have a native speaker in the office,” Gonzalez said. “We know that language access is crucial for democracy because it ensures that all eligible voters, regardless of their primary language, have an equal opportunity to participate in our elections.”

As required by a 2021 law, Jefferson County provides its residents with ballots in both English and Spanish. For voters needing translation services in a language besides Spanish, Gonzalez said she often directs them to the office of the Secretary of State’s Language Assistance Hotline. This service connects voters and elections workers with a live translator through a three-way call. 

While the Pocketalks have proven to be a valuable asset, Gonzalez said the county has long been working to provide non-English speakers with the tools they need to understand everything on the ballot and feel confident when casting a vote.

“We see the Pocketalks as just being an expansion of the work that we were already doing,” she said. “We want to offer language support because we know that it helps build trust with non-English speaking communities and shows them that their voices are really valued. I think it also illustrates a commitment to being inclusive and accessible and making more people hopefully feel respected and welcome. So, this is sort of a piece of that broader puzzle of how we get voters the tools that they need.”

Trust is crucial to democracy, Gonzalez said, and helping all of her constituents access the ballot, regardless of language, is key to building that trust. 

“We have a real commitment to inclusivity and making people feel respected and welcome in the voting process,” she said. “We know that our democracy is better when everyone participates, and this is just one more way to help ensure that every eligible voter can read, understand their ballot and participate in our democracy.”

Gonzales said that when people can understand election materials and communicate effectively with election workers, they’re “empowered to make more informed choices that are hopefully reflective of their values and needs.”

“And ultimately,” the election official said, “what we want is for them to have their voice heard in our government and in our democracy. I hope that it inspires confidence and broadens civic engagement so that people feel more welcome and they’re more likely to interact with their government in the future.”

Mesa County Clerk Bobbie Gross echoed Gonzalez’s sentiment, noting that her county first introduced Pocketalks to its motor vehicle department.

She said the devices have streamlined communication, making it easier for both customers and employees who’d prefer not to navigate the Language Assistance Hotline. 

“(Elections workers) really utilize those Pocketalks and they get great feedback with them and have appreciated having them because it was easier to communicate with the voters,” she said. 

Officials said easier communication helps reduce the time elections workers spend assisting each voter, which, in turn, allows them to serve more people and shortens wait times for those needing assistance. 

Although Mesa County is not legally required to mail Spanish ballots, it publishes a sample ballot in Spanish that’s available at every voter service and polling service, as well as online. 

“We really want to make sure that any eligible voter is able to vote and have their voice heard, and they should have the resources available to help them vote,” Gross said.