The Latino Community Foundation (LCF) has joined forces with NextGen California and Latin Life to launch a major effort to register Latinos for the 2016 election as part of the Yo Voy a Votar ¿Y Tú? campaign. The goal is to reach up to 1 million eligible voters who have not yet registered.
“Civic participation is the cornerstone of any democracy,” says Jacqueline Martinez Garcel, CEO of the Latino Community Foundation, “Latinos have the opportunity—and some would say the responsibility—as the largest Latino voting bloc in California to lead the way.”
“If we want to strengthen our democracy and boost voter turnout, we must engage the Latino community,” said NextGen California President Tom Steyer. “In 2014, Latinos made up 39 percent of California’s population but represented only 15 percent of the electorate. I’m partnering with the Latino Community Foundation because we need to ensure that every community has a voice this election.”
Thanks to this partnership, over 100 bilingual canvassers will be trained and deployed to register voters at music concerts of internationally known Latino artists, like Marc Anthony, Marco Antonio Solis and Juan Gabriel. Latin Life will accompany this work with a social media campaign targeting Latino millennials.
As part of the initiative, the Foundation will work closely with Latino-led community organizations with the experience and capacity to register Latinos. The organizations include Mi Familia Vota, Services, Immigrant, Rights and Education Network (SIREN), and Fathers and Families of San Joaquin (FFSJ). All three will work closely to make sure that newly registered Latinos get out the vote on or before November 8th. Steyer and NextGen California are also partnering with the NAACP, the African American Voter Registration, Education and Participation Project (AAVREP), and the Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN).
The Latino Community Foundations believes Latinos have the power to shape our nation’s future. At a national level, every 30 seconds a Latino citizen turns 18 and becomes eligible to vote. In California, there are 6.9 million eligible Latino voters—the largest eligible Latino voter population in the United States. Yet, today, only 17% are likely to vote.
To learn more about the campaign visit: http://latinocf.org/mobilize_latino_vote.html
About the Latino Community Foundation
The Latino Community Foundation (LCF) inspires philanthropy, invests in Latino nonprofit organizations and unites leaders to advocate for change. Uniquely positioned at the intersection of corporate, political and grassroots power, LCF works to amplify and accelerate change that positively impacts the Latino community. LCF connects donors to emerging leaders, community organizations with funding, and advocates with the key decision-makers. Our approach is rooted in the very essence of what it means to be Latino, with a fierce tenacity and a focus on community and relationships. For more information about LCF visit www.latinocf.org and our Facebook page.
Press Contact: Masha V. Chernyak
Vice President of Programs and Policy
mchernyak@latinocf.org
cell: 415.533.9697
cell: 646.465.3464
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