FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT
Thursday, October 23, 2014 Lizette Escobedo, 858-583-5014
Dawn Le, 202-549-6798
Latino Voter Engagement is Growing, Dynamic and Unstoppable
Despite lack of action on immigration by Congress and Administration, Latino voters are mobilizing across the country and demonstrating their growing influence
Listen to the press teleconference audio.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With only 12 days until Election Day, local Latino voter and civil rights groups are demonstrating the growth of their civic engagement efforts as Latino voters continue to strengthen their influence and power in critical elections and states.
In today’s Spanish language telephonic media briefing, the message from front-line local leaders and experts was clear: this November 4th is about more than a single mid-term election but is in fact another critical milestone in demonstrating the Latino community’s growing influence in the American political process. Leaders also shared that the immigration actions that Congress and the President take today will have a generational impact on future elections.
Since 2006 the Latino electorate has grown by 47 percent (4.3 million). This November the Latino electorate will continue its growth with the NALEO Educational Fund projecting that 7.8 million Latinos will cast ballots – accounting for nearly 8 percent of the nation’s voters and an almost 18 percent increase from 2010. In states like Illinois, Florida and Colorado, the Latino vote will help determine the outcomes of key gubernatorial and Senate races. And in states like Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Georgia the growing Latino electorate is also shaping key electoral outcomes.
Despite this unprecedented growth and future projections, candidates and political parties have made little to no investment in genuinely engaging Latino voters. However, the failure to pass immigration reform and the delay of executive action is driving Latino voters to the polls – not because Latinos will help determine a large number of contested races – but because this movement understands that this election is about demonstrating its growing political power. Community and advocacy groups across the country are working arduously to register over 630,000 Latino voters and obtain commitments for early voting from over 230,000 Latinos.
Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director, GALEO, Atlanta, GA:
“The Georgia Latino Vote has grown tremendously. In 2003, there were only 10,000 Latinos registered to vote in GA. Now, it is estimated that there are approximately 200,000 to 220,000 Latino voters. With Georgia’s tight and competitive statewide races for Governor & U.S. Senate, Latino voters have significant power to determine the outcome of the 2014-midterm elections. Politicians should not and cannot take the Latino vote for granted. “
Laura Maristany, Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs, NALEO Educational Fund
“Latinos are poised to demonstrate their power as both voters and candidates on Election Day, with Latino candidates likely to make history as the largest class of Latinos in the 114th Congress. NALEO Educational Fund estimates that more than 7.8 million Latino voters are expected to head to the polls in two weeks, an increase of 1.2 million from 2010.”
Grace Lopez-Ramirez, Communications Director, SEIU Local 105, Denver, CO
“Our political power in Colorado continues to grow, our community knows that if we do not exercise our right to vote this election and in 2016, then we may never win immigration reform. Voter registration efforts are equally important. In 2010, the Colorado Senate race was decided by 29,900 votes. This year, we’ve registered 31,096 new Latino voters.”
Maria Rodriguez, Executive Director, Florida Immigration Coalition (FLIC), Miami, FL
“Latinos do not have to be the decisive electorate in every single race, but we have to make sure you can feel the power of our presence where we are the strongest in numbers and where our vote does make a determining difference in the outcome. The power of the Latino and immigrant vote is in our growth; there is no doubt about that. But if we do not vote, we do not count, we cannot do as so many laws in our state have done, and suppress our own vote by not voting at all and sitting out this election.”
Raul Preciado, Field Director, Make the Road New York, New York, NY
“While many in our community are disappointed with Congress’ inaction and the President’s failure to keep families together, our door-to-door efforts have shown that they are eager to go vote on November 4th, because their families and communities need change. On Election Day, Latino and immigrant New Yorkers will also be determined to make their voices heard on issues key to our states immigrant youth, like the New York DREAM Act.”
Artemio Arreola, Political Director, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights (ICIRR), Chicago, IL
“The frustration for Congress’ inaction on immigration reform and the delay on administrative action from the President is turning into electoral courage in our community. We will come out to vote keeping in mind that perhaps not all democrats are looking out for our community’s best interest and not all republicans are not. We must make sure we are voting intelligently and informed.”
For more information on voting go to www.allianceforcitizenship. org or www.yaeshora.info or call NALEO Ed Fund’s national bilingual voter information hotline at (888) VE-Y-VOTA / (888) 839-8682
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