(A) To encourage voting, a board of elections may appoint persons who are fluent in a non-English language to serve as interpreters to assist voters in certain election precincts. If the board determines that the number of non-English-speaking electors in a precinct indicates a need for an interpreter and provision of an interpreter is feasible and practical in terms of the number of such electors, the board may appoint an interpreter for such precinct in the same manner as other precinct election officials are appointed. A person appointed pursuant to this section may only provide to voters such assistance in the non-English language as may be provided by election officials to English speaking voters. All requirements relating to the qualifications of election officials apply to persons appointed under this section. Interpreters shall complete a program of instruction as provided in section 3501.27 of the Revised Code and shall be compensated in the manner and amount as provided by section 3501.28 of the Revised Code for other election officials. A person appointed pursuant to this section may also serve as a precinct election officer; such person shall be compensated as though he served only in the capacity of an election official, and he need not undergo a program of instruction a second time for the same election unless required by the board.

(B) No person appointed under division (A) of this section, while performing the duties of such office, shall:

(1) Wear any badge, sign, or other insignia or thing indicating a preference for any candidate or for any question submitted;

(2) Influence or attempt to influence any voter to vote for or against any candidate or issue submitted at such election.

(C) Whoever violates division (B) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Effective Date: 07-25-1975 .