A new poll released Wednesday shows support among Wisconsin residents to declare English as the state’s official language.

The poll, conducted Nov. 14 by United States English, Inc., phoned 1,000 likely voters in Wisconsin and found 84 percent of these respondents support a bill introduced by Rep. André Jacque, R-DePere, to make English the official state language.

The results also show that support for making English the state language extended to 81 percent of Wisconsin residents who speak a language other than English at home and 87 percent of those who are immigrants.

“It is really immigrants themselves who are the strongest advocates of English being the official language of Wisconsin,” Jacque said.

U.S. English Chairman Mauro E. Mujica said in a statement that making English the official language would add incentive for immigrants to learn English and would increase their likelihood of “achieving social and financial success.”

Mujica added the large support from Wisconsin residents is not often seen in politics.

Jacque said Wisconsin is only one of 19 states that does not have English as its official language.

The 31 states with English as the official language did so without it becoming a political issue, Jacque added.

Rep. Katrina Shankland, D-Stevens Point, said in an email to The Badger Herald that she feels the bill would “demean” Wisconsinites who speak a language other than English.

“Considering almost 5 percent of Portage County’s residents speak Hmong, Spanish, or Polish, it’s important to promote cross-cultural competencies and celebrate diversity,” Shankland said. “Removing access to government documents in Spanish, Hmong and other languages takes away citizen access to our government and discriminates against those who may be limited in English proficiency.”

Jacque said having ballots or documents in multiple languages makes “learning English seem more optional,” and that learning English helps promote unity “economically and socially” in a society.

However, Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa, D-Milwaukee, said the bill would likely affect how she and other elected officials communicate with bilingual constituents.

“Wisconsin has always had a tremendous Latino and Polish immigrant district, and adding an English proficiency requirement to ballots would be very offensive to minority constituents who prefer to speak a language other than English. Essentially, [the bill] would be a violation a voting rights,” Zamarippa said.

Mariana Pacheco, a University of Wisconsin professor with expertise in language and literacy learning, said in a statement Friday that she fears an ideology of “English only” would start to shape and affect the educational policy of minority students learning the English language.

Jacque said his proposal has not received much criticism from fellow legislators, but has seen support from both sides of the aisle.

“When I have talked to other Democrats, Republicans and independent parties, there has been an overwhelming majority that support English as the official language,” Jacque said.

Jacque added Democrats at the federal level have “recognized” that English is critical in moving up and achieving the American dream.