Limited English Proficiency
Executive Order 13166, and subsequent guidance from the Department of Justice (DOJ), requires all agencies that provide federal financial assistance to issue guidance on how Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 applies to recipients of that assistance in their contact with persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). If an agency does not grant any federal financial assistance, it still must design and implement a plan to ensure that the agency takes reasonable steps to comply with the intent of Title VI by providing meaningful access to all of its federally conducted programs and activities for individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). In general, such individuals are those who do not speak English as their primary language and who have a limited ability to read, write or understand English.
As you may know, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) was created in 1975 as an independent regulatory agency to strengthen the integrity of the federal campaign finance process under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (FECA or the Act). Accordingly, the FEC has jurisdiction over the financing of campaigns for the U.S. House, the U.S. Senate, the Presidency and the Vice Presidency. The Commission is also responsible for administering the public funding program for presidential campaigns and nominating conventions under the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act and the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account Act. The FEC does not grant federal financial assistance within the meaning of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
In the performance of its mission, it should be noted that most individuals who run for federal office (and the political committees that support them) are English-proficient, meaning the LEP population seeking FEC services is very small. Nevertheless, please note that our agency is taking steps to ensure that its programs are accessible to members of the LEP community and will continue to improve access to services for these individuals.
If you have any questions and/or suggestions regarding the Commission’s LEP plan, please send them to: