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Apr-09-2008 15:09printcomments

Voter Registration Caravan will Increase Latino Vote in Oregon

The Caravan will make make stops in Salem and Woodburn.


Caeser Chavez fought for the rights of Hispanic workers. Photo courtesy: eatingliberally.org

(SALEM, Ore.) - In commemoration of the 81st Anniversary of the Birthday, Life and Legacy of Cesar E. Chavez, Voz Hispana Causa Chavista, a non-profit organization composed of parents, workers, students, small business owners and community organizers, will participate in a car caravan with allies this Saturday to register voters and encourage Latinos to vote in the upcoming elections.

This weekend's caravan is just one of the many activities Voz Hispana has planned this year to encourage Latino voter turn-out.

"The mission of this Saturday's voter registration caravan is to empower Latinos by increasing our participation in the American democratic process", said Juan Argumedo, Organizer with Voz Hispana. "We are dedicated to preparing and delivering thousands of Latino voters for Oregon's 2008 primary and general elections."

Voz Hispana has been a pioneer and one of the leading organizations conducting voter registration and "Get out the Vote" campaigns for the Latino community in Marion county. Since its establishment in 1997, the organization has been committed to creating a healthy community where members have the opportunities and access to resources to achieve their highest potential.

"Our organization promotes the active involvement of Latinos in the civic and democratic system" said Ana Luisa Sanchez, President of Voz Hispana. "With our non-partisan voter registration campaigns, educational and candidate forums, and community engagement, Voz Hispana works to ensure that the community's voice is heard"

With more than 100,000 Latinos eligible to vote in Oregon, including thousands of eligible young Latinos turning 18 years-old, the main goal of Voz Hispana is to register young Latino Voters using innovative voter registration methods like the caravan. They hope to encourage them to vote their conscience on issues affecting their lives.

"Many issues are at stake this November, such as promoting real immigration reform, preserving the right of immigrants to obtain and keep a drivers license, accessing health care services, securing affordable housing and promoting quality education.", said Liliana Sotelo, Youth Organizer and a student at Woodburn High School. "But the most important reason to vote and register to vote is because we love our families and we want a brighter future for all of us."

The Caravan will depart simultaneously from Colonia Amistad in Independence and Colonia Libertad in Salem this Saturday, April 12th at 1:00 PM and make stops in Salem and Woodburn. While in Salem, the Caravan will stop at Chemeketa Community College to for a short rally to encourage Latinos to register to vote. More than 100 cars are expected to participate

Other Organizations participating in the effort include PCUN, Salem-Keizer Coalition for Equality, CAUSA, LUCHA, MECHA, First Congregational Church, St. Patrick Catholic Church Youth Group, Woodburn High School, Guadalajara Restaurant in Woodburn, LUS, Chemeketa Community College, Radio Movimiento, FHDC, and Mano a Mano Family Center.




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Hanson April 15, 2008 8:23 am (Pacific time)

The below web address provides a number of links that acknowledges a major organizations viewpoint on illegal immigration: "The American Legion." It currently has less than 4 million members but it still has considerable political influence and it intends to unite with other veterans organizations/groups and have the future presidential candidates and others running for congress to go on public record regarding their positions on illegal immigration this upcoming late summer and early fall. Needless to say when some have called those groups on our borders relaying info to the Border Patrol (like the Minutemen) that they are vigilantes or worse, well calling members of this influential veterans organization the same thing or something similar will probably generate a surge in membership. One again the link below will simply allow you to educate yourself on what many of our veterans would like to see done concerning this issue. I hope people realize that for the Legion, this is certainly not a race issue and the Legion has members that are of all races and creeds. http://towncriernews.blogspot.com/2008/04/american-legion-tackles-immigration.html


Charlie April 12, 2008 7:42 am (Pacific time)

I did not mean to suggest that your actual voting process was recorded but when you signed in to get your ballot. I am all for every lawful individual voting, you know the saying---trust but verify. Lot's of dead people vote in certain areas of the country and it's easy to throw out ballots via the mail-in scenario. Many individual's signature changes over time, or maybe you have an injury that requires you to use the other hand. I assure you the professional pollsters know the precise make-up of every precinct/parish in this country and they have their strategies for each one. I simply would like to see the opprotunity for misbehavior marginalized, that's all. For each fradulent vote, one American has lost their voting right.


Sue April 11, 2008 2:41 pm (Pacific time)

Are you kidding me??? That is what I want, someone video taping my vote. I agree with Joe. I hope they get record numbers of new registrated voters!


Anonymous April 11, 2008 12:19 pm (Pacific time)

Amazing that questions about voter registration and voting are always raised everytime Latinos, Blacks, or some other race besides white holds a voter reg drive.


Charlie April 11, 2008 8:58 am (Pacific time)

As much as I like the luxury of mailing in my ballot, it seems that since we know there is so much idenity fraud going on, and many driver's licenses have been issued to non-citizens, maybe it's time we go back to voting in person at our local precincts and also have them video-taped. This way we have an offical record which can be randomly checked (like poll taking) and it just may scare off those voting illegally. As far as being filmed, well we are under camera's in most places we go now, so no big deal. I'll bet the people who would hate to see this type of voting format may have reasons they might not like to share, but voting in person is done in the majority of America, it's just now we maintain a video record.


Oregon Joe April 11, 2008 3:24 am (Pacific time)

US Citizen--Because they are Latinos, they must not be citizens, is that what you are trying to say? With your poor attitude, I hope they register 10s of 1000s this weekend.


Charlie April 10, 2008 7:51 am (Pacific time)

Idenity politics? People generally vote for their self-interest in local elections, but it seems that more and more groups of people are being organized to vote idenity politics. This may backfire sometime in the not too distant future.


A US Citizen April 10, 2008 7:19 am (Pacific time)

Umm....don't they know that a person must be a US Citizen to vote? Guess all those "Voter Registration Cards" can be challenged unless they are verified.

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