Election interpreters are the focus of another ongoing legal battle in Texas over voting laws. A recent article in the Texas Tribune sheds light on the latest:

Amid last-minute efforts to overhaul the state’s voter identification law in light of an ongoing legal fight, the Texas Legislature gaveled out without addressing another embattled election law that’s now moving forward in federal court.

The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday will take up a legal challenge to an obscure provision in the Texas Election Code that requires interpreters helping someone cast a ballot to also be registered to vote in the same county in which they are providing help.

After doing some googling, this outline of Election Interpreter Duties was found for Lehigh County, Pennsylvania that gives a look at what the job of being an election translator looks like, at least for Spanish to English translators in Pennsylvania:

The primary function of an election interpreter is to assist Spanish-speaking voters in the electoral process when they go to a polling place to vote. Some examples of activities that fall under this category are:

• Direct voters to the correct election official
• Help election official locate the voter’s name in the poll book
• Instruct voters on how to use the voting machines
• Instruct voters how to cast a provisional ballot (if necessary)
• Provide Assistance to Vote when a voter requests it
• Help voters fill out all necessary forms (if necessary)
• Report to the Board of Elections any instances of intimidation, harassment, or discrimination towards voters in particular Spanish-speaking or Hispanic voters of behalf of election officers, political parties, watchers, voter protection groups, or other voters.

Other functions that interpreters are able to do if they are interested, and as long as it does not interfere with their primary functions are:

• Serve as judge of election, clerk, machine operator, or majority/minority inspector if any of these positions are vacant on Election Day.
• Instruct English-speaking voters how to use the voting machines, cast provisional ballots, and complete forms (if necessary).
• Provide Assistance to Vote when a voter requests it

Help election officials with any other Election Day procedures.

• While at the polling place, the interpreter is under the supervision of the judge of elections.
• Interpreters should report to their assigned polling location by 6:15 a.m. to help with the morning set-up.
• Paid $115
• Interpreters must attend one (1) training session and will be paid $10 for the session.