A campaign led by the Voto Latino Foundation, involving well-known celebrities and influencers, has been launched with the aim of encouraging Latinos to vote in the upcoming election. The initiative, known as “Vota Con Ganas” (‘Vote with Enthusiasm’), features personal stories and messages from the Latino community, voter registration drives, workshops, social media outreach campaigns, and public service announcement-type videos emphasising the importance of voting and the impact the Latino vote can have.
Celebrities such as Wilmer Valderrama, Rosario Dawson, America Ferrera, Danny Lux, Jessica Alba, Gina Torres, and Xochitl Gomez are taking part in the campaign. Valderrama, who directed and produced the campaign videos, highlighted the vital role of Latinos in the country and stressed the significance of their participation in elections. The campaign also involves partnering with over 170 college campus organizations for voter registration events during Hispanic Heritage Month, in collaboration with more than 300 other organisations, including the NFL, Universal Music, and Sony.
As the largest minority group in the US, Latinos make up 19.5% of the total population and represent a crucial voting bloc in the upcoming presidential election. Their growing influence is evident, with projections indicating that they will account for 14.7% of eligible voters this election. With their increasing electoral power, Latinos are being targeted by both Republicans and Democrats in several key battleground states.
Maria Teresa Kumar, the president of the Voto Latino Foundation, emphasised the importance of including everyday Latinos in the campaign videos to amplify their voices and empower them. Dawson, a board member of the foundation, urged Latinos to mobilize their community, particularly the youth who will be first-time voters. She encouraged them to register, vote, volunteer, and take ownership of the election, as it holds the potential for significant impact and change.
The campaign strives to harness the power of the Latino community and ensure that every Latino voter is registered to shape the future of the country through active participation in the electoral process. Dawson reiterated the message of the campaign, stressing the power of Latino voters to make a difference and influence the election outcomes. The engagement of Latinos in this election is seen as a pivotal opportunity for the community to exercise its voting rights and potentially shape the course of the country’s future.