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Frequently Asked Questions

​The Translation Advisory Council is a non-partisan, advisory body committed to providing eligible voters of Oregon’s diverse communities with translated election materials. The Council includes at large and translator members from Oregon’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

The Council validates professional translations for accuracy and ensures translations meet the information needs of the intended audience in a culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate way. Council members do not translate documents.​

The Council may also make recommendations to the Secretary on related matters as needed, such as the development of glossaries of translated elections terminology or translated web pages.​

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To be eligible, applicants must be a resident of Oregon and be willing to serve at least two years. There are two types of volunteer members, at large members and translator members.

  1. At large positions: Members who do not represent any specific language community but speak instead for a much wider group of people. At large members bring lived experience and civic service in one or more of the respective Oregon communities served by voter pamphlet translations.
  2. Translator positions: Members who bring lived experience and proficiency in English and one of the Council languages.
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The list of Council languages​ includes the five most commonly spoken languages in the state and the ten most commonly spoken languages of every county, other than English. The Secretary of State uses data from the American Community Survey​, including the estimated numbers of individuals who self-evaluate their ability to speak English as “less than very well.” The list may be updated to include new languages based on new data or new data sources every five years.​

The Secretary reviews individuals’ applications and materials for their potential to serve the purpose of the Council. To the greatest extent possible, the Secretary also wants the Council to represent the racial, ethnic, cultural, social, and geographic diversity of the State of Oregon.​

In a calendar year, members will spend around 50 hours completing required training, conducting reviews of draft translations, and attending Council meetings.

Most meetings are held virtually on weekday evenings and the Council usually meets for a half day on a Saturday in Salem once a year.

Most of the volunteers’ time is spent reviewing professional translations of voters’ pamphlets and election materials drafts for statewide and local elections up to four times per year. Due to short election filing dates and turnaround times, members may be asked to complete translations reviews over three or four days. Some members also serve on workgroups for specific projects between Council meetings. ​

No, all meetings include a virtual meeting attendance option. However, at the annual in-person meeting, remote participation will be limited due to the nature of small group activities. Members may miss one meeting in a calendar year.

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No, Council members are volunteer public servants and are not employees of the Secretary of State’s Office. To remove barriers to participation, ORS 292.495​ allows the Secretary of State to make small stipend payments to volunteers who are not full-time employees of any public body within the State of Oregon (Oregon cities, counties, special districts, school districts, or community colleges, among others). Eligible members may be paid an annual volunteer stipend of $200 and stipends for attendance at business meetings. All members are eligible to request reimbursement for travel expenses according to the Secretary of State Travel Policy.

Council members are not Secretary of State employees but are required to complete an I9 to be eligible for the stipend and reimbursement payments.

These are volunteer positions; therefore, the Secretary of State’s office is unable to issue letters verify volunteer status, offers or eligibility.

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The Secretary of State accepts applications​ for openings on the Translation Advisory Council and appoints members from active past and current applicants. 

Potential applicants should review the About the Council web page​ and Frequently Asked Questions. We recommend applicants gather reference contact information and optional supplemental materials before beginning the online application.

All applicants submit the application form, which includes the applicant’s information and written responses to questions about reasons for applying. Translator applicants may also provide proof of proficiency in reading and writing English and proficiency in one of the Council languages​ through one or more of the following supplemental materials:
  • Proof of American Translator Association Certification; or
  • Proof of Oregon Court Interpreter Certification or other state or national equivalent; or
  • Proof of Oregon Healthcare Interpreter Certification or other state or national equivalent; or
  • A sample of their own translation work in the designated language, demonstrating skill in translation; or
  • ​A copy of a diploma or unofficial transcript for a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited school in the United States of America or an international equivalent in a) one of the Council languages or English, or b) the study of linguistics, translation, interpretation, or related studies completed in English or one of the Council languages.
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Contact us at TAC.info@sos.oregon.gov ​or 503-986-1518 ​between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.