Presidential Elections and Hispanics

So it is that time again, another November 6th when the citizens of the United States get to vote and elect a new President. Elections happen only every four years, but each term carries with it the efforts, hopes, dreams and many times tears of a whole nation. And as such an important occurrence, it deserves the outmost commitment from all, those that are eligible to vote and those that are not.

What does this mean for you? Well, if you are not registered to vote, you can do it here: http://www.rockthevote.com/rtv_voter_registration.html?source=, it is important that you do it for this election and for every other election after this. Your vote is way too important at a time when so much is at stake. It is not only a civic responsibility, but it is also a privilege that not everyone has. So if you have it, exercise it. If you can’t vote for whatever reason, there are still plenty of ways to participate in the process.

The Pew Hispanic Center revealed that there are about 23.7 million Hispanics eligible to vote in the 2012 presidential elections, up from 19.5 million in 2008.  Although the numbers are impressive, we learned that in 2008, only about 50% of eligible Hispanic voters cast ballots. So the potential impact of the community was cut in half on Election Day. Yet the needs and hopes were still there, unmet.

Yes, it is almost impossible to make sure everyone of those 23.7 million voters come out and cast ballots. But we can each do our part. Let’s make sure, first, that we come out and vote if we are eligible. Then let’s make sure that everyone able to vote in our family goes out. It’s a great experience to vote as a family. It gives a sense of accomplishment and unity.

After that, we can make sure all our friends can come out and vote. It is time to leave indifference behind. Everyone talks about the sleeping giant to refer to the Hispanic Community. On Election Day the alarm clock goes off and we have to wake up, or run the risk of sleeping another 4 years.

Too much effort has been put in by so many youth, community, state, and national organizations into mobilizing the Hispanic community. Let us honor those efforts by coming out and bringing everyone with us to vote.

So, are you registered to vote? Are you voting on November 6th? Is everyone in your family that is eligible voting on Election Day? Who else do you need to make sure comes out to vote? How are you getting involved in your community? Think about these questions and realize that you can do so much, and be an agent of change.

This time is also a good time to reflect on the last 4 years, on how much effort has been spent and realize that we cannot afford to remain in the sidelines; that we need to be active participants in a society that we want to see change; and that the only way to make a real impact is through raising our voice on November 6th, through our vote and the vote a whole community.

Happy Election Day!