Latinas vote when they hear from their friends, neighbors, and families.
During every election cycle, media outlets across the country inevitably describe the Latinx vote as the “sleeping giant” that never shows up. The giant is not asleep in Colorado,
In 2018, almost 62 percent of registered voters cast their ballots in our state, the second-highest in the country. A quick search of the voter file indicates that those numbers include almost half of self-identified Latinas, who have voted in our state’s most important elections.
The media is missing the mark by not highlighting that Latina voters impacted races across our state in 2018, electing the most Latinx representatives in Colorado history. More representation means more influence.
As in our last national election, in which women were the driving force that helped Democrats win the House of Representatives, Latina voters of all socio-economic backgrounds showed up at the polls in Colorado. Both Latinx and Latinas vote for more progressive policies. They are the youngest voting bloc in the country. They are pushing this country forward.
Luckily, in Colorado, voting is accessible and convenient. However, some Latina voters are overwhelmed by COVID 19 challenges and may sit this election out. Like many, they are struggling with job losses, businesses floundering, no child care, and helping their children with online learning. The impact of the pandemic on the entire economy, and the even harsher consequences for Colorado’s Latinx families, puts the progress of our state at risk.
In a typical year, Latina voters would again be pushing Colorado to do more for working families, improve access to healthcare, and hold Senator Cory Gardner accountable for his unwavering support of Donald Trump’s divisive moves to gut laws and regulations that protect healthcare, our environment, and national parks, and inflame income inequity.
Colorado’s working families and women can win again in 2020, but our sisterhood will need to come together. Latinas vote when they hear from their friends, neighbors, and families.
A grassroots approach works best. We trust our compadres more than a bus full of celebrities. Campaigns should listen up. More Latinas in campaigns and advocacy organization means more Latina turn out. All of us need to step it up. Our voice matters to those who trust us. At least once a week, we must make calls to our friends and family. We must point out the most important issues on our state’s ballot—taxes, reproductive freedom, and representation in Washington, DC. And, who will be our next president. If we will lose the 2020 election, our community will be set back another 10 to 20 years. We can’t let that happen.