Illinois’ Leading Latino-serving Organizations Unite to Implement Most Comprehensive Latino GOTV Effort To Reach 10,000 Households
For Immediate Release: February 24, 2023
Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
The Illinois Latino Agenda and it’s partners are determined to improve Latino voter turnout in this mayoral election
CHICAGO — Today, Hispanic Federation, La Casa Norte, the Puerto Rican Cultural Center and the Illinois Latino Agenda (ILA) held a press conference to kick off part of the largest Latino GOTV campaign in Chicago’s history. Volunteers gathered outside of La Casa Norte in Humboldt Park before starting a day of door knocking to get out the Latino vote.
The GOTV campaign is being funded by Hispanic Federation, a nonpartisan Latino member organization, and will aim to knock on 10,000 doors, send 260,000 text messages with voting information, and make about 130,000 calls to voters. By partnering with La Casa Norte and the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, Hispanic Federation will mobilize bilingual volunteers to connect with community members and encourage voter participation and registration.
"Latinos are a third of the Chicago population, and yet we show the lowest rates of being 100% certain to vote. If we want to elect leaders who are truly chosen by the people, we cannot waiver when it comes to participating in our democracy. That’s why we’re excited to launch this Get-Out-The-Vote campaign with our partners. Our goal is to energize Latinos with culturally competent and bilingual outreach so that they can make their voices heard at the ballot box. Together, we can create a stronger democracy in which everyone who can participate will participate,” said Roberto Valdez Jr., Hispanic Federation’s Director of Midwest Policy and ILA member.
Latinos make up one third of the City’s population and are one of the fastest growing demographics, but year after year, voter turnout for Latinos is low. This informs candidates’ outreach efforts which usually means candidates don’t include Latinos in their policy priorities. Leaders from Chicago’s most prominent Latino-serving organizations are collaborating to change that. “These outreach efforts are critical because Chicago’s next mayor is going to make decisions that directly impact our communities and we want to make sure those decisions benefit Latinos,” said Jose Muñoz, ILA Co-Chair and CEO of La Casa Norte. “Latinos are embedded in the fabric of this City and we need to make sure our voices are heard in this election.”
“Our economic and cultural contributions have helped shape this City, its economy, neighborhoods, families, schools and local governments,” said Karina Ayala-Bermejo, CEO of Instituto del Progreso Latino and ILA member. “Voters can’t afford to sit back. We have power, and we have to use it this election.”
“At this historical juncture for Latinos/as, it is imperative that we participate actively in the transformation of our city, as we work to make Chicago into truly a center of magical urbanism,” said Juan M. Calderon, COO of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center.
Other GOTV strategies that are being carried out by ILA, ILA members, and partner organizations:
- Northwestern University and a coalition of Black and Latino nonprofits funded and developed a poll to better understand the issues mobilizing Black and Latino Chicago voters. The coalition includes Hispanic Federation, Illinois Black Advocacy Initiative, Latino Policy Forum and Latino Victory Project.
- A GOTV PSA on Spanish media by the Illinois Latino Agenda
- Meetings with Mayoral candidates to confirm their commitment to Latino voters and communities
- A Mayoral Runoff Forum to be held in March
