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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
October 29, 2014 Camila Gallardo
cgallardo@nclr.org
(305) 215-4259
ATLANTA—Today, NCLR (National Council of La Raza) and GALEO (Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials) were joined by Latino Decisions in a morning briefing for reporters to discuss the potential impact of Latino participation in the upcoming elections. The number of registered Hispanic voters in Georgia grew from 26,000 in 2000 to 140,000 in 2012, a 438 percent increase. Latinos currently represent 4 percent of the eligible electorate in that state, while current polling averages show that less than 1 percent separates the Senate candidates and less than 2 percent separates the gubernatorial candidates.
“The Latino vote has been growing faster in Georgia than in almost any other state, and politicians of both parties need to wake up and face the demographic reality of their state,” said Matt Barreto, co-founder of Latino Decisions. “With two extremely close elections forecast in Georgia this year, there is a very real chance that the Latino vote will decide races for Senate and governor. Take note of the Latino vote in Georgia, because it will only continue to increase.”
NCLR is partnering with GALEO to reach out to Latinos in Georgia and mobilize Hispanic voter turnout on November 4. This nonpartisan effort is aimed at building Latino participation and increasing the community’s ability to positively influence the political process. The groups are contacting more than 20,000 potential Latino voters in Georgia by phone, direct mail and canvassing. NCLR has also begun airing nonpartisan Spanish language radio ads urging Latinos to turn out to the polls next Tuesday.
“There’s a lot at stake for Latinos this election, and while some may feel frustrated by the lack of action on issues like immigration, a powerful way to break that gridlock and make progress on these issues is by growing the Hispanic electorate,” said Loren McArthur, Deputy Director of Civic Engagement at NCLR. “In Georgia, Latino voters can absolutely make a difference in this November’s elections.”
Many issues of top concern for the Hispanic community—jobs, the economy, minimum wage, health insurance and equal pay—will be impacted by this year’s congressional and state elections. Millions of Latinos, for example, remain uninsured; meanwhile, lawmakers in 24 states, including Georgia, have rejected federal funding to expand Medicaid, denying insurance to nearly one million low-income Latinos across the country.
“Latino voters in Georgia are excited about participating in the midterm elections this year,” McArthur continued. “Hispanics recognize the power that we have and will vote to ensure our community gets the respect it deserves. Latino voters have been paying attention to the elections this year and are committed to making a difference by voting.”
NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.
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