2008 Woodie Awards
Latin Vote Encouraged
Voter representatives seek to increase the Latino vote by 2 million.
Claudia Lozano
Issue date: 9/29/04 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Bearing a sticker that read "Su Voto es su Voz" (Your Vote is your Voice), Southwest Voter Registration Education Project coordinator Avelino "Andy" Andazola, handed out volunteer pledge cards to willing Valley College students in Pete Lopez's Chicano studies class last week.
Southwest plans to increase the Latino vote by encouraging voter registration and participation by recruiting volunteers on college campuses.
According to Andazola four out of every 16 Latinos register to vote and only one of those four vote. Andazola also said that the youth vote is vital in every election and he anticipates it could influence the 2006 gubernatorial campaign.
"We need more students involved in the political process," Lopez said, reiterating that Southwest wants to help get the community involved and make an informed decision regardless of their political party.
Originally established in Arizona in 1974 by the late political activist, Willie Velázquez, the organization wants to increase the Latino vote and political representation nationwide. According to organization representatives, it's goal for the 2004 general election is to increase the local Latino vote to 2 million in California, Texas, Arizona and Florida, which would bring the national total to 10 million.
"Even if you don't vote you are represented," Andazola said, "but power comes when you can hold someone [you elect] responsible."
Volunteers undergo a one-day training session and are encouraged to recruit voters from neighboring businesses like supermarkets and record stores. They receive instruction on how to host a voter registration project and promote voting by mail.
"I'm volunteering to actively engage in a good cause. We need representation otherwise we'll keep getting stepped on." said sociology major Jorge Lobos, referring to the recent tuition increase.
Andazola has been active in this cause since 1976 and doesn't consider it 'work' because, "our government should stop taxing the future; instead it should invest in it."
Anyone interested in participating can go to www.svrep.com to register to vote, volunteer or learn more about the current issues.
Southwest plans to increase the Latino vote by encouraging voter registration and participation by recruiting volunteers on college campuses.
 Media Credit: Jorge Gallegos SVREP - Southwest Voter Registration Education Project coordinator Avelino "Andy" Andazola visited Valley College to recruit voting students. |
According to Andazola four out of every 16 Latinos register to vote and only one of those four vote. Andazola also said that the youth vote is vital in every election and he anticipates it could influence the 2006 gubernatorial campaign.
"We need more students involved in the political process," Lopez said, reiterating that Southwest wants to help get the community involved and make an informed decision regardless of their political party.
Originally established in Arizona in 1974 by the late political activist, Willie Velázquez, the organization wants to increase the Latino vote and political representation nationwide. According to organization representatives, it's goal for the 2004 general election is to increase the local Latino vote to 2 million in California, Texas, Arizona and Florida, which would bring the national total to 10 million.
"Even if you don't vote you are represented," Andazola said, "but power comes when you can hold someone [you elect] responsible."
Volunteers undergo a one-day training session and are encouraged to recruit voters from neighboring businesses like supermarkets and record stores. They receive instruction on how to host a voter registration project and promote voting by mail.
"I'm volunteering to actively engage in a good cause. We need representation otherwise we'll keep getting stepped on." said sociology major Jorge Lobos, referring to the recent tuition increase.
Andazola has been active in this cause since 1976 and doesn't consider it 'work' because, "our government should stop taxing the future; instead it should invest in it."
Anyone interested in participating can go to www.svrep.com to register to vote, volunteer or learn more about the current issues.
