FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Denver, CO - Hugo Hernandez, a student at Kennedy High School, says he likes canvassing.
“It’s been good because people don’t know how important voting is for kids in our neighborhood,” Hugo said after knocking on 130 doors on Sunday. “People need to know voting makes a difference. That’s worth running around for!”
He’s referring to measure 2A, which provides funding for early childhood education for many people in Southwest Denver. Padres & Jóvenes Unidos is throwing their full support behind the measure, and since October 25th has knocked on 8,000 doors.
“The bottom line is - for our families and parents - if 2A doesn’t pass a lot of people in our community won’t be able to send their kids to preschool,” said Elsa Oliva Rocha, the lead organizer for this get out the vote effort. While Latinos are 37% of the Colorado electorate, many news organizations report that this voter base feels disenfranchised over failed promises - especially on immigration reform. Padres & Jóvenes Unidos wasn’t sure how their community would respond to getting out the vote. Oliva Rocha adds: “We planned for 12 canvassers. But we’ve had about 25 youth and parents every day. It’s incredible, especially the youth.”
Youth quickly grasped how important this election is to Southwest Denver and they work hard to get out the vote. Their infectious energy is felt by everyone, voters and parent canvassers alike.
“You can feel tired about yet another election. To these youth, though, it’s the first time they see how voting affects people. That makes you move a little faster,” said Gloria Borunda, a parent canvasser. The canvassers say that people engage about education once they realize their votes are needed to make a difference. If a voter starts to vent about campaign promises, youth are quick to counter - not voting only makes the problem worse.
The organization plans to keep working through election day to get people excited about voting and to send the message - ¡Unidos Votamos! - United We Vote.
