The Latino community does not know or has no interest in participating in the primary elections on Tuesday, June 7 because to some extent they have lost hope, but we need to remind them that change requires everyone to participate.
“We have to remind them that this election matters because it is the way to hold officials accountable for what they promised us. It is critical that we engage Latinos civically,” said Alesandro Negrete of the Alliance for a Better Community.
“We have to build a political consciousness around our communities that revolves around the changes they want. In these local elections, it is where we really see the first impacts. So we need to find ways to mobilize people to get out and vote.”
During a roundtable, organized by the LA Media Roundtable around the primaries to be held in California on June 7, leaders and representatives of the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters Office shared key information on voting by mail, voting centers and culturally accessible materials.
They recommend following precautions against covid-19 when voting. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)Pastor William D Smart Jr. from the organization Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Southern California, said that the upcoming election is very important for many reasons.
“First of all because of the huge redistribution that has taken place, we are trying to push early voting because it is essential that we participate in the election and have our voices heard”.
Nancy Yap of CauseUSA, an organization that focuses on increasing the civic and political participation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (APIs), said that they have worked to ensure that there are voting centers close to residential areas.
But they have also made alliances to inform communities of all the ways they can vote.
“Our population is diverse and includes many languages. The many ways to vote coincide with our needs”.
He added that in the voting centers, with the support of volunteers to translate the ballot materials, their communities have options so that their voices are heard through the vote.
Remembered that in the primary election of 2020, the 30% of the registered voters of the API community, came out to vote, and it is the same percentage they managed to reach through direct voter education outreach.
“So reach out to your friends, your networks, and your colleagues, and remind them that the deadline matters.”
He added that this primary election is important because it is the result of the redesign based on the census and the readjustment of borders of the electoral districts.
“It is important to educate ourselves about these changes and that we have a voice that represents us”.
Negrete de la Alliance for a Better Community, said that Latinos have gone from being 9% of the county’s population to 1960 to the 40%, but the voters are not there. “Therefore, we have partnered with Easter Communities for Environmental Justice and Innovate Schools to create a program that engages South Los Angeles, as it has the smallest number of voters.” Monica Flores of the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters, said they have worked with organizations to place vote centers in the community and ensure that voters have the experience of voting in person. “We have a total of 368 centers voting. The first 120 will open this Saturday, 04 May 10 am to 7 pm; and they can go to vote at any of the centers”. He revealed that the following Saturday, they will open 520 sites to make a total of 640 in-person voting centers. “In addition, all registered voters have already received a ballot by mail. If this has not been the case, you can contact your office to send them a replacement”. Indicated that they have already received by mail near 200,000 ballots of vote, which represents a turnout of 4.5%. “A little less than what we saw in the September gubernatorial recall election of 2021.” In general, you noted that more voters are voting by mail. Remembered that you can deposit the ballot in the 400 mailboxes that exist in the county or take her to one of the 19 voting centers. Mentioned among the changes of this choice, the inclusion of 6 new languages to the 03 in which the ballots are printed. On the other hand, Negrete highlighted that the primary election to elect to the county sheriff, is one of the interesting issues that will appear on the ballot. “Because public safety is very important in communities where minorities live, we must see who is the right candidate especially after the tragedy in Texas”. Another issue for those who live in the city of Los Angeles is that the close race for mayor between Karen Bass, Kevin de León and Rick Caruso. He mentioned that we should also pay attention to the elections for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board of Directors so that investments are made in students. Participants encouraged voters to cast their ballots in person, taking precautionary measures such as wearing a mask or face covering, observing physical distancing guidelines, and avoiding touching their eyes, nose, or mouth . Voters can find their nearest polling place here; while the deadline to register to vote online is 23 in May, but they can always register on the day of voting. To track your ballot after you’ve voted, visit: Where’s My Ballot.