Voter Registration Kickoff

Monday, 01 February 2010 18:54

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On Jan. 30, the Latino Caucus of the Pima County Democratic Party, with Organizing for America, held a voter registration kickoff at Rudy Garcia Park in South Tucson.

Volunteers went door-to-door to register voters and focus on getting Latinos signed up for the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL). The list allows voters to receive an early ballot to mail in for elections.

Arizona Attorney General and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry Goddard came from Phoenix to help with the event. He stressed to the dozens of people in the crowd how important and helpful early ballots are for voters.

"This is important, the very element of democracy," said Goddard. "Making sure citizens are registered."

There are 1.5 million Arizonans eligible, but not registered, to vote, Goddard said. Early ballots come to a voter's home 30 days before election-day, giving people a chance to sit down to talk and think about decisions on the ballot, he added.

"Ninety percent that sign up actually vote on election-day," said Goddard. "If we're going to get serious, it'll take that 1.5 million (people) to get mobilized."

Before they started canvassing neighborhoods, volunteers went through training on how to properly collect signatures. Organizing for America first wanted to make sure people registering to vote or to sign up for the PEVL were Barack Obama supporters.

Organizing for America is an extension from the 2008 Barack Obama campaign. The group's focus is to continuously work with volunteers and voters.

Vene Aguirre is a volunteer and led a training before canvassing started.

"I was inspired by his campaign and wanted to see it come to fruition," said Aguirre.

Assistant Attorney General Vince Rabago, who is running for Attorney General, also came to help with canvassing efforts.

"Talking to someone face-to-face makes a huge difference," said Rabago.

In Arizona, 17 percent of eligible voters are Latino, according to the Pew Hispanic Center in 2008. Another 2008 study by the Pew Hispanic Center showed 65 percent of Latino registered voters in the United States identified or leaned towards the Democratic Party.

Before canvassing began, Goddard told volunteers, "When we vote, people in Arizona--Democrats--win."

Written by Amanda Portillo You are reading Voter Registration Kickoff articles