This week, we came together with a coalition of organizations, including Somos Mayfair, Latinas Contra Cancer, Latinos United for a New America, East Side Education Initiative, and Community Health Partnership to call on the Latino community in San Jose to show up and make their voices heard this election season.
In a city where approximately 30% of the population is Latino, there is a significant opportunity for the community to have a powerful impact on shaping policies and decisions. However, various barriers, particularly for recent immigrants and low propensity voters, have made the voting process seem inaccessible. At a press conference on Thursday, speakers lifted up the importance of Latino voter turnout in the upcoming elections and highlighted the challenges that Latinos face in accessing the polls, such as language barriers, lack of transportation, and voter ID laws.
The coalition urged Latinos to register to vote and to make a plan to vote in the upcoming elections. “San Jose is home to a large Latino community who live and work here, and are critical members of the city’s economic and cultural life,” said Maria Noel Fernandez. “We must have a political voice. This is our chance to pick our leaders and decide what policies are passed. Let’s get out and vote — for our children, for our neighbors and for the city we call home.”
The press conference is part of a larger initiative to reach Latino voters who are critical to the future of the city, and ensure they have a voice in the political process. Along with the coalition, we’ve been working with candidates and elected officials to discuss the issues that are important to the Latino community.
“We know that many Latinos want to vote, but the process feels inaccessible to them,” said Mayra Pelagio. “We’re here to help them register to vote and to make sure they know where to go and how to vote on Election Day.”
How we vote can impact housing, education, public safety, and more in the years to come. Here in San José, we’re deciding who our next Mayor and certain Councilmembers will be. Let’s get out and vote — for our children, our seniors, our essential workers, our undocumented community members who have been cut out of the election process, and for the future of the city we call home.
Please make a plan to vote in the upcoming elections. You can register to vote online at https://registertovote.ca.gov/, or by calling 1-800-345-VOTE.
