It’s election day in the Western Alaska village of Newtok, and poll worker Martha Simon helps explain the bond proposition – for $315 million in transportation improvements – to elder Michael John in Yup’ik.

After voting, Peter John pulled a harmonica out of his pocket and performed “You are my Sunshine.”

In response to a lawsuit filed by Yup’ik elders against the state and city of Bethel, state election officials were ordered this summer to provide more Yup’ik language assistance at the polls. The help includes a sample ballot in Yup’ik that can be

Cecilia Albert and adopted son Falcon Albert, 3, leave the lone voting location in Newtok – a flood-prone building that usually serves as the bingo hall.