Too much is at stake!

With Election Day just a few days away, it is critical that everyone, especially young people, and Hispanics in particular, get out and vote.

Young Hispanics make great contributions to their communities in so many levels, and that inspires me deeply. Unfortunately, the number of committed youth is just a small fraction of the whole. One of the biggest reasons for the low numbers on Election Day is that the great majority of young Hispanics are still unaware of how important their vote is.

According to election data, about 75% of all young Hispanics eligible to vote do not. Something needs to change. We can dream of how we would like our country to be, what laws we would like to see enacted, etc., but without voting we are a voice in the desert. It is of extreme importance to come out and vote on Election Day. Your vote is worth way too much for you not to exercise it. Too much is at stake. 

According to the Pew Hispanic Center, there are about 50,000 Latinos turning 18 every year. There is great power in numbers and Latino youth can create change. But this impact has to be shown with numbers on Election Day. Are you part of the 75% who don’t vote or do you have what it takes?

There are 12 million people in the U.S. Hispanic community that wish they could vote and create a change, but can’t. If you know of someone who is deeply affected by the laws enacted in this country, but cannot vote, please vote for them. If you cannot vote yourself, please find someone that can to vote for you! Our community is like a family and we all depend on each other. If one falls, we all fall.

The Church encourages young people to go and make disciples, not only inside the chapel, but in society. Through Evangelization and Political Responsibility, the Church encourages Hispanic youth to an active participation, as part of the Christian community, in the political process, citizenship and voting, political formation and education, to promote an active participation of the Church in favor of Hispanics, and the right to vote and change of laws.
If this is your first time voting, congratulations, and welcome to making a difference.

If you have voted before, thank you for exercising that right. Here is some practical information about Election Day:

On Election Day, you will need to cast your ballot at your precinct’s designated polling place, usually between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. If you do not know where your precinct polling place is located, please contact your county board of elections or inform yourself in your parish or civic center.

Instructions for casting your ballot should be posted in each polling place. If you have any questions about how to mark or cast your ballot, or if you have incorrectly marked a ballot, ask a precinct election official for instructions before you continue.

I have many, many friends, and family, who are role models to me and to whom I owe much of what I know and am. Many of these special people in my life cannot vote and I have promised them, and myself, that every time I have a chance, I will come and vote, for me, and for them.

So, is there someone important enough in your life for you to come and vote for? Is there a cause important enough for you to vote on November 2? Do you dream of a better tomorrow for you and your family, and are you willing to work for that tomorrow? I certainly am and I challenge you to be too.

SEE YOU ON ELECTION DAY.