Organizations Unite to Kickoff Latino Week of Action for Upcoming New York City Council Primary Election
For Immediate Release: June 9, 2023
Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
Ahead of the New York City Council election, leaders will discuss the importance of voting and share additional information on election procedures, voting options, ranked choice voting, and other key details.
NEW YORK, NY – The New York Latino Civic Engagement Coalition — comprised of The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund, Hispanic Federation (HF), LatinoJustice PRLDEF (LJP), and Dominicanos USA (DUSA) —kicked off a Latino Week of Action with a press conference to remind Latinos in New York City about the importance of voting during the upcoming New York City primary elections. At the press conference, the coalition announced that its volunteers will be in highly Latino populated areas with an active election, including neighborhoods of the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn to help register and mobilize voters. The coalition also launched a texting campaign to engage with residents in all five boroughs.
The outreach and mobilization efforts begin June 12 and continue through Saturday, June 17. Saturday, June 17 marks the start of early voting and the voter registration deadline. Throughout the week, the coalition will help Latino voters develop a plan to vote, educate voters about the importance of each election taking place in their district, and ensure that Latinos are getting out to vote.
“Our democracy works best when everyone who can vote, does vote,” said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of Hispanic Federation. “That’s what this Latino Week of Action is all about. We’re reminding our communities to take action as soon as possible so that they can fully participate in our democracy. We are meeting communities where they are, sharing culturally and linguistically competent information, and ensuring they know exactly what they need to do to cast their ballot. Every election matters. They determine our quality of life, economy, health, public safety, and so much more. We will not rest until all Latinos engage with democracy.”
“We are at a pivotal point in our history where we are seeing a wave of bills trying to dilute our community's right to vote”, said Fulvia Vargas-De Leon Senior Counsel at LatinoJustice PRLDEF. "Which is why it's more important than ever that our communities partake in this democratic process. We are proud to join our coalition partner to make a strong push in a week of action to better educate our Latino voters on their voting rights and share pivotal information around voter registration, their rights at the polls and around language access. Our ballot is our voice, and we need to make every vote count.”
“These voter engagement efforts are critical to empowering Latinos in New York City to make their voices heard,” said Arturo Vargas, CEO of NALEO Educational Fund. “Every election is an opportunity to create and sustain Latino voter engagement. These events help provide eligible Latino voters with the information they need to exercise their right to vote and choose representatives who are responsive and accountable to their needs.”
“Voter registration is critical for ensuring that the voice of the Latino community is heard,” said Deputy Borough President Janet Peguero. “We must reach out to our community and give them the tools they need for civic participation. It is time for us as the Latino community to stand up and make sure our values and priorities are reflected in the policies of those that govern us.”
“With early voting less than 2 weeks away, the Campaign Finance Board is proud to join this coalition for its week of action as we engage with Latino voters across New York City,” said Omar Suarez Director of Partnerships and Outreach for the New York City Campaign Finance Board. “Despite voter turnout in the 2021 municipal elections being higher than in any past City election year it was still low, hovering at around 25% for both the primary election and general elections. We hope that the voter registration efforts this week will increase these numbers and give more New Yorkers the opportunity to be active participants in our democracy.”
“New Yorkers , we have a Primary Election on June 27 to elect the candidates for City Council, Bronx and Queens District Attorneys, civil Court Judges, and party positions. Make sure your voice is heard, get out and vote and vote early,” said Eddie Cuesta, Executive Director, Dominicanos USA.
In addition to registering and mobilizing people to vote, the coalition will also empower Latino voters by providing information on election procedures, voting options, ranked choice voting, and other key details. Voter information materials such as language access cards and ballot question information will be distributed as well. More information about these events can be found below.
Latino Week of Action
Days of Action (In-person)
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Day 1: June 12, 2023 |
Day 2: June 13, 2023 |
Day 3: June 14, 2023 |
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Borough: Bronx
Kick-Off Press Conference:
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Hostos Community College 450 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY 10451
Voter Engagement, Bronx:
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Hostos Community College 450 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY 10451
Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
E. Fordham Road & Jerome Avenue Bronx, NY 10468
|
Borough: Brooklyn + Queens
Voter Engagement, Brooklyn:
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Maria Hernandez Park Knickerbocker Avenue & Starr Street Brooklyn, NY 11237
Voter Engagement, Queens:
Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
74th Street – Roosevelt Avenue Jackson Heights, NY 11372
|
Borough: Manhattan
Voter Engagement, Manhattan:
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Lower East Side Clinton Street & Henry Street New York, NY 10002
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
United Palace 4140 Broadway New York, NY 10033 |
Days of Action (Virtual)
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Day 4: June 15, 2023 |
Day 5: June 16, 2023 |
Day 6: June 17, 2023 |
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Borough: Citywide
Phone Banking:
Time: Varies times available
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Borough: Citywide
Peer-to-Peer Texting:
Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
|
Borough: Citywide
Peer-to-Peer Texting:
Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
|
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About NALEO Educational Fund
NALEO Educational Fund is the nation’s leading non-partisan, non-profit organization that facilitates the full participation of Latinos in the American political process, from citizenship to public service.
About LatinoJustice PRLDEF
LatinoJustice PRLDEF works to create a more just society by using and challenging the rule of law to secure transformative, equitable, and accessible justice, by empowering our community and by fostering leadership through advocacy and education. For nearly 50 years, LatinoJustice PRLDEF has acted as an advocate against injustices throughout the country. To learn more about LatinoJustice, visit www.LatinoJustice.org.
About Hispanic Federation:
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized and immigrant Latinos. With programs in 40 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia, HF’s focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
About Dominicanos USA:
Dominicanos USA (DUSA) is a 501(c) (3) non-partisan organization founded in 2013, that is committed to the civic, social, and economic integration of Dominican-Americans into the fabric of American society. DUSA strives to ensure that every U.S. citizen can freely exercise their civic rights, realize their full potential, and capitalize on all opportunities the United States has to offer. Our contribution to making this vision a reality begins with our work in the Dominican-American community.
About NYC Campaign Finance Board:
The New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) administers one of the strongest, most effective campaign finance systems in the country. NYC’s matching funds program amplifies the voice of average New Yorkers in city elections by matching their small contributions with public funds. By increasing the value of small-dollar contributions, the program reduces the possibility and perception of corruption from large contributions and unlimited campaign spending, and encourages citizens from all walks of life to run for office. Through its rigorous oversight and enforcement efforts, the CFB holds candidates accountable for using public funds responsibly.
