National Latino Leaders Gather in Nevada to Announce Landmark Latinx Voter Power Strategy
National Latino Civic Engagement Table (NLCET) Presents History Making Organizing and Mobilization Campaign
Las Vegas, NV – Leaders of nine of the nation’s legacy Latinx civil rights and civic engagement organizations unveiled plans to mobilize the Latinx electorate across the U.S. ahead of the 2020 presidential election.
During a news conference Tuesday, the National Latino Civic Engagement Table (NLCET), made up of LULAC, LCLAA, Mi Familia Vota, NALEO, Voto Latino, MALDEF, Hispanic Federation and UnidosUS, outlined plans to work non-stop to ensure the Latinx community is informed, trained and engaged on the issues that impact it, in order to be ready to use its political power in the 2020 primaries and general election.
“Voto Latino is a grassroots political organization focusing on creating greater participation for the Latinx community, especially among Gen Z and Millennials,” said Danny Friedman, Managing Director of Voto Latino. “This is the first election cycle where four million more eligible voters will get to vote for the first time since Donald Trump referred to our family members as rapists and criminals. We’re very excited to see this generational opportunity for engagement. Voto Latino is a digital-first organization, we register people online and we’re going to continue to engage folks in critical states around the country.”
“The Nevada caucuses will be the first diverse contest in this election and since one in three Nevadans are Latino, it will also be the first look at a significant Hispanic vote,” stated UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía “The Nevada debate will be a crucial opportunity for candidates to talk about the issues our community cares about beyond just immigration, such as the specific concerns Latinos have centered on the economy, jobs, housing, and health care,” added Murguia.
“My message today goes to Latinas, after six years we’ve grown tired of enduring attacks on us, our families and communities. The only way to put a stop to this is by going to the polls! ” said Yanira Merino, LCLAA National President. “We need to elect a president that can prioritize the needs of the Latino community!”
“The numbers speak for themselves–with 30 million eligible voters, Latinos are once again poised to play a decisive role in Election 2020,” stated NALEO Educational Fund Chief Executive Officer Arturo Vargas. “As the caucuses and primaries get underway, both the President and candidates seeking the opportunity to challenge him should consider a strategy that includes genuine outreach to Latino voters to garner their support, addressing and proposing real solutions to the issues that affect Latinos most, including good paying jobs, quality education, healthcare access and immigration reform. Latino organizations, including NALEO Educational Fund, will have an especially important role in mobilizing and emphasizing civic participation. This 2020 we are reinforcing our efforts to turnout Latino voters and ensure they make their voices heard at the ballot box. These efforts will include operating our toll-free bilingual hotline 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682) that provides Latino voters with information on every aspect of the electoral process and a recourse should they encounter any problems or barriers to exercising their right to vote.”
Brent Wilkes, Hispanic Federation’s Senior Vice President for Institutional Development, noted that in this “Year of Latino Power,” the goal will be to close the voter registration gap, because when Latinos get registered to vote, they show up in presidential elections by margins of 80 – to – 83 percent. “There are more than 30 million Latinos eligible to vote in the United States. Latinos are poised to determine the outcome of the 2020 election. A growing Latino electorate in every region of the country will make Latino voters pivotal in the outcome of elections,” Wilkes predicted.
“This initiative represents a milestone in our journey towards greater social justice and civil rights in America,” said Sindy Benavides, LULAC National Chief Executive Officer. “Our combined work, our combined talents and our combined will are the most powerful demonstration of our collective commitment to achieve in 2020 what this nation’s founders and great leaders envisioned since our creation. We can together forge a prosperous country whose liberty, opportunities and rewards are here for all, including the nearly 60-million Latinos in our country today,” added Benavides.
Héctor Sánchez Barba, CEO and Executive Director of Mi Familia Vota: “This election cycle we want to send a message: Nine of the most influential organizations in civic engagement will be joining forces. Our communities deserve collective power and we are here and want all of our voices heard in the most significant election in modern history. This is to ensure our vote, the Latino vote, will be felt at the ballot box across the country. Despite the challenges ahead, our community is resolute, determined, and proud. In 2020 we will fight for our country, our way of life, and we will right the wrongs perpetrated by this administration.”
Video from today’s news conference can be found at http://bit.ly/2wocHys.