LULAC Iowa Holds Second Voter Registration Drive

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July 30, 2012

LULAC Iowa Holds Second Voter Registration Drive

DES MOINES, IA - Council 307 of the League of United Latin America Citizens will hold a voter registration drive this weekend to continue its efforts to increase the Latino voice in Iowa for the November 2012 elections.;

“We have had great success in reaching out to our fellow Latinos since we began our voter identification and registration drive efforts,” said Joseph Enriquez Henry, president of Council 307 in Des Moines. “We hope that with additional voter registration drives we can reach not only individuals in the Latino community, but any Iowan who wants to become registered to vote and play a role in the outcome of the 2012 elections.” 

The registration drive will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at the East Side Library, 2559 Hubbell Ave., in Des Moines. 

Latinos across the United States are expected to have a greater voice in the 2012 elections. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the Latino community has grown to 50.5 million residents, up from 35 million in 2000, and is the country’s largest minority group. The number of eligible Latino voters has also increased from 13 million to 21 million during the 10-year period, according to a study by The Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan public opinion research group. 

The case is the same in Iowa where the Latino population increased almost 84 percent from the 2000 Census to more than 151,500 residents, or 5 percent of Iowa’s 3 million residents, according to the 2010 Census. 

Enriquez Henry, who also serves as LULAC state director, said Council 307 is leading the efforts on behalf of all Iowa LULAC councils to analyze state voter registration records to identify Latino voters. LULAC councils will then work with registered Latino voters in their areas of the state to register family members and friends.   

Thus far, Council 307 has identified 8,716 registered Latino voters in Polk County, most of whom live in precincts on the south and east sides of the city of Des Moines. In Iowa’s Congressional District 4, Council 307 has identified 7,007 registered Latinos. Buena Vista and Cerro Gordo counties have the highest numbers of registered Latinos. 

Council 307’s work is part of a national effort by LULAC councils to help register and increase the Hispanic voter turnout to record numbers for the November 2012 elections. 

Founded in 1929, the League of United Latin American Citizens is the oldest Latino civil rights organization in the United States. There are more than 900 local LULAC councils, which hold voter registration drives, provide awareness to residents about language and immigration issues, sponsor programs and advocate for Latinos. 

For more information, please contact Joe Enriquez Henry at 515.208.7312 or joehenry@iowalatinos.org, or visit www.Iulaciowa.org

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