Hmong Sisters Serve as First-Time Election Judges in Brooklyn Center
On primary Election Day in Brooklyn Center, a somewhat steady stream of people made their way to the community center’s Constitution Hall to perform their civic duty.
“It was slow this morning, but it’s picking back up,” said Yong Cheng Yang, a first-time election judge.
On Tuesday, she was one of the many volunteers helping to guide the city’s voters through the process.
“Yeah, I love my community,” she said. “So I’m trying to do my best while I’m still in town.”
Yang is a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin, and she wanted to take on this role as a way to give back, and put a particular set of skills to good use.
“There’s also a lot of Hmong voters so, if I can come and in case someone needs to speak Hmong or interpreting, then I could step up,” she said. “And yeah, it’s actually really fun. I enjoy it.”
She enjoys it despite the long, 15-hour work day.
Yong Cheng Yang helps voters get checked in at the Brooklyn Center Community Center.
It certainly helps that her sister, Kao Yong Yang, is nearby. She’s another first-time election judge.
“[Yong] was afraid that she was gonna be the only young person here and the only Asian that’s here,” Kao Yong Yang said. “So she was like, just go with me, you’ll be fine. So that’s why I did it with her.”
One by one, the sisters help the voters get checked in, and teach people how to properly fill out their ballots.
But most importantly, these immigrants from Thailand want to be able to lend a helping hand to other Hmong voters who may need assistance.
“There was actually a Hmong couple that came in and they didn’t know English,” Yong Cheng Yang said. “So I was able to speak Hmong to them and direct them to where they needed to be.”
It’s a small gesture to help ensure everyone can exercise their right to vote.
“We’re both doing our best to give back to our community,” Yong Cheng Yang said.
