Latino Voters Subjected to Dirty Tricks in Nevada

The Associated Press is reporting today that Latino Voters in Nevada have been receiving calls from people falsely identifying themselves as “Obama Volunteers” telling them to “cast their ballot over the phone”.

The calls have been reported to Election Protection, a nonprofit advocacy group that runs a hot line for election troubles. It is unknown at this time who is organizing those calls.

Laughlin McDonald of the ACLU Voting Rights Project had this to say regarding such illegal voter supression tactics:

"The Voting Rights Act makes it a crime to misled and intimidate voters. If you can find out who's doing it, those people should be prosecuted."

To read the full article about other reports of voter suppression and intimidation, visit this link

If you or anyone you know believes they have been a victim of voter suppression and/or voter intimidation tactics, please call 1-866 OUR VOTE (1-866-687-8683) or visit www.866ourvote.org and fill out their online form.

Read more »

New Mexico State GOP Members Sued Over Intimidation of Latino Voters

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) and the American Civil Liberties Union have filed two separate lawsuits against members of the New Mexico State Republican Party.

Talking Points Memo reported last week that Latino voters complained that Republican Lawyer Pat Rogers and Private Investigator Al Romero “went to the homes of their family members, and intimidating and confusing them about their right to vote in the general election.”

In another article, the Associated Press reports that the daughter of a woman being represented by MALDEF said her 67-year-old mother “cried and was frightened after Romero came to her home”. The investigator threatened to call immigration authorities even after the woman’s mother told him she was a U.S. citizen.

Ten people have been targeted by the New Mexico State Republican Party with claims that they voted fraudulently. In the ACLU lawsuit, one of the plaintiffs claims that after he had filled out a voter application, his private information was leaked to the media and he was depicted as a “fraudulent voter”. The State Attorney General is investigating how the New Mexico State Republican Party gained access to confidential voter information.

In addition to Republican Lawyer Pat Rogers and Private Investigator Al Romero being named as defendants in the lawsuit, the Associated Press reports that,

“The lawsuit seeks an injunction to stop the defendants from intimidating, threatening or harassing voters about their eligibility to vote or to interfere with that right.”

“The lawsuit also names Rep. Justine Fox-Young, R-Albuquerque, and unnamed members of the state Republican Party of illegally using Social Security numbers and birth dates to obtain information about voters.”

More on this story can be found here.

Individuals who have questions or concerns about their voting rights should call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)

Read more »

Today’s Voter Registration Caravan

In commemoration of the Birthday, Life and Legacy of Cesar E. Chavez, today Voz Hispana Causa Chavista and their allies will participate in a car caravan to register voters and encourage Latinos to vote in the upcoming elections.

With more than 100,000 Latinos eligible to vote in Oregon, including thousands of eligible young Latinos turning 18 years-old, the main goal of Voz Hispana is to register young Latino Voters using innovative voter registration methods like the caravan. They hope to encourage them to vote their conscience on issues affecting their lives.

Schedule:

Volunteers will gather at Noon either at Colonia Amistad, 30 S Gun Club Road, Independence; or at Colonia Libertad, 2920 Saddle Club St. SE, Salem

Depart simultaneously at 1 p.m. from Colonia Amistad and Colonia Libertad. The caravan from Colonia Amistad will travel through downtown Salem

Both caravans will arrive simultaneously at 2:00 PM at Chemeketa Community College, 4000 Lancaster Drive NE, Salem; voter registration, music, food, speakers

The Caravan will Depart at 3:30 p.m. simultaneously from Chemeketa Community College and will arrive by 4 p.m. at Woodburn High School, 1785 N Front St., Woodburn for voter registration and celebration of César E. Chávez's 81st birthday

Other Organizations participating in today’s voter registration drive include PCUN, Salem-Keizer Coalition for Equality, CAUSA, LUCHA, MECHA, First Congregational Church, St. Patrick Catholic Church Youth Group, Woodburn High School, Guadalajara Restaurant in Woodburn, LUS, Chemeketa Community College, Radio Movimiento, FHDC, and Mano a Mano Family Center.

Read more »

in the news: Youths encourage civic participation

in the news

Youths encourage civic participation

Voz Hispana focuses on registering Latino voters
THELMA GUERRERO-HUSTON
Statesman Journal
April 12, 2008

For several days this week, Melina Hernandez of Salem and several of her high school buddies refused to go home after school. But they didn't go to the mall, out to eat or to the movies. Instead, they focused on voter-hunting.

Not affiliated with any political party, the U.S.-born students, most of whom are 18 and registered to vote, have been making posters and putting together banners in preparation for a 150-vehicle voter-registration caravan that will travel from Independence to Salem to Woodburn today. ...continue reading

Read more »

Caravan to Increase Latino Voter Participation in Oregon

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2008

Contact:
Francisco López, Voz Hispana Coordinator (503) 269-5694
Erik Sorensen, CAUSA Communications (503) 488-0263

CARAVAN TO INCREASE LATINO VOTER PARTICIPATION IN OREGON

Salem, OR- In commemoration of the 81st Anniversary of the Birthday, Life and Legacy of Cesar E. Chavez, Voz Hispana Causa Chavista, a non-profit organization composed of parents, workers, students, small business owners and community organizers, will participate in a car caravan with allies this Saturday to register voters and encourage Latinos to vote in the upcoming elections. This weekend's caravan is just one of the many activities Voz Hispana has planned this year to encourage Latino voter turn-out.

"The mission of this Saturday's voter registration caravan is to empower Latinos by increasing our participation in the American democratic process", said Juan Argumedo, Organizer with Voz Hispana. "We are dedicated to preparing and delivering thousands of Latino voters for Oregon's 2008 primary and general elections."

Voz Hispana has been a pioneer and one of the leading organizations conducting voter registration and "Get out the Vote" campaigns for the Latino community in Marion county. Since its establishment in 1997, the organization has been committed to creating a healthy community where members have the opportunities and access to resources to achieve their highest potential.

"Our organization promotes the active involvement of Latinos in the civic and democratic system" said Ana Luisa Sanchez, President of Voz Hispana. "With our non-partisan voter registration campaigns, educational and candidate forums, and community engagement, Voz Hispana works to ensure that the community's voice is heard"

With more than 100,000 Latinos eligible to vote in Oregon, including thousands of eligible young Latinos turning 18 years-old, the main goal of Voz Hispana is to register young Latino Voters using innovative voter registration methods like the caravan. They hope to encourage them to vote their conscience on issues affecting their lives.

"Many issues are at stake this November, such as promoting real immigration reform, preserving the right of immigrants to obtain and keep a drivers license, accessing health care services, securing affordable housing and promoting quality education.", said Liliana Sotelo, Youth Organizer and a student at Woodburn High School. "But the most important reason to vote and register to vote is because we love our families and we want a brighter future for all of us."

The Caravan will depart simultaneously from Colonia Amistad in Independence and Colonia Libertad in Salem this Saturday (April 12th) at 1:00pm and make stops in Salem and Woodburn. While in Salem, the Caravan will stop at Chemeketa Community College to for a short rally to encourage Latinos to register to vote. More than 100 cars are expected to participate

Other Organizations participating in the effort include PCUN, Salem-Keizer Coalition for Equality, CAUSA, LUCHA, MECHA, First Congregational Church, St. Patrick Catholic Church Youth Group, Woodburn High School, Guadalajara Restaurant in Woodburn, LUS, Chemeketa Community College, Radio Movimiento, FHDC, and Mano a Mano Family Center.

###

Read more »