HOUSTON, Texas, Sept. 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This past Saturday in Houston, Texas, LULAC hosted the Todos a Votar Campaign and held a briefing for the community which addressed the critical role of Latinos in the November election and called on the Hispanic community to vote. A voter registration effort was simultaneously held at the event.
The tour has traveled through CA, NV, AZ, FL, and CO. Mi Familia Vota and SEIU co-sponsored the tour. In attendance were leaders representing national organizations which included the Hispanic Federation, Labor Council of Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) Education Fund, National Council of La Raza (NCLR), Voto Latino, the Center for Community Change (CCC) and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). These advocacy groups have traveled across the country calling on Latino voters to register to vote and reminding them of the importance of voting on November 6.
The Hispanic population in Texas is the second largest in the nation. There are 3.8 million eligible Hispanic voters in Texas making Texas the second largest Hispanic population of eligible voters. According to a study by NALEO, more than 12.2 million Latino voters are expected to vote on Election Day, an increase of 26 percent over 2008.
The briefing discussed issues such as the Federal Court rulings which found Texas' redistricting maps were drawn with "discriminatory purpose"; a separate decision which struck down the Voter ID law after finding that it would have placed an undue burden on low-income and a largely minority population's ability to vote; and the role Latinos are poised to play in determining the outcome of the national election for President in several battleground states. In addition the briefing also discussed the opportunity Latinos have to influence the political agenda on issues of concern to the community such as jobs, health care, education and the implementation of fair immigration reform.
"We have overcome legal challenges that were specifically designed to suppress voting rights of Latinos and other minorities," said LULAC National President Margaret Moran. "Now it's our turn to step up, register to vote and do our civic duty and actually vote on November 6th. Every study has shown the tremendous potential of the Latino electorate to make a significant difference in the Presidential election. Through voter education and registration efforts we can make that potential a reality - one registered voter at a time."
"Conservatives in Washington and in states like Texas have tried to diminish the presence and political power of Latinos in this country," said Ben Monterroso, Executive Director of Mi Familia Vota. "Some politicians are counting on us not to show up on Nov. 6. But we will prove them wrong because there is a lot at stake for Hispanics in this election."
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation's largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 900 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC's programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=12386