Focus on turnout is primary for Latino rights organizations during National Voter Registration Day | Democracy, elections and voting at Democracy Chronicles
From National Council of La Raza:
Today, as the nation commemorates National Voter Registration Day, NCLR (National Council of La Raza) is urging eligible Latinos across the United States to register early online or at local government agencies or participating community-based organizations, including many NCLR Affiliates. NCLR will be launching its full voter registration campaign this fall.
“Latinos are part of the fabric of America, and our active participation helps ensure the electorate accurately reflects the nation and those elected lead responsibly. Our voices are critical, particularly as we see the presidential campaign season unfold, with some candidates intent on demonizing the Latino community and awakening a virulent nativist streak in our society. The best way to defend our community from bigotry, and to be true to our nation’s motto, E Pluribus Unum, is to register and vote,” said Clarissa Martínez-De-Castro, Deputy Vice President, NCLR.
Between 2008 and 2012, the number of Latinos registered to vote grew by two million (from 11.6 million to 13.7 million). According to recent projections, that number is expected to grow to 16.7 million in 2016. Part of this growth is fueled by the nearly one million Latino citizens turning 18 every year, and community efforts to register them and other Latino citizens of voting age. Nearly 10 million Latino voting-age citizens were unregistered in 2012, making voter registration efforts a critical component in the electoral growth of this community. The U.S. states with the highest share of eligible Latino voters are Texas, California, Florida, and New Mexico.
“We have already proven to be a critical factor in the winning equation for the White House and many races across the country, and our growth potential is still considerable. Bringing even more eligible Latinos onto the voter rolls and into the voting booth will strengthen the message that our community needs to be engaged meaningfully by candidates, and that candidates need to provide solutions rather than incite hatred if they want to win elections,” continued Martínez-De-Castro.
NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Latinos. For more information on NCLR, please visitwww.nclr.org, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Contact:
Camila Gallardo
cgallardo@nclr.org
(305) 215-4259
#OITNB Actress Diane Guerrero Holds Facebook Q&A Tuesday 12:30PM PT/3:30PM ET120 Groups and Individuals Join #HHMA Campaign
Today, as part of National Voter Registration Day, the Hispanic Heritage Month of Action campaign — made up of 120 groups and individuals so far — will make an extra push to urge Latinos to register to vote.
As part of the online campaign, Diane Guerrero, a cast member of Orange Is the New Black and Jane the Virgin, will hold a live question and answer session on Facebook on the importance of Latino voter registration. The Facebook Q&A can be followed on the Voto Latino Facebook page:here #HHMA
Meanwhile, Mi Familia Vota and additional partners will hold voter registration events in several states including Arizona, California, Colorado, and Texas. These are part of more than 80 events being held throughout Hispanic Heritage Month of Action, which runs from September 15 to October 15.
The #HHMA campaign has grown, from 87 partners last year to 120 so far this year, with allies continuing to sign up. The partners are a diverse group from celebrities to national civil rights organizations. Some names include: Lila Downs, The Cisneros Center for New American, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, National Council of La Raza, and more.
For more information on Hispanic Heritage Month of Action visit HHMAction.com.
SOURCE Hispanic Heritage Month of Action
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