Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
More Than Half Of LA’s Latino Voters Say They Haven't Received Ballot Information For June 7 Primary
Voters try out new ballot marking devices at the L.A. County mock election at Salazar Park in East L.A. on September 28, 2019.
(
Al Kamalizad
/
LAist
)
Latinos make up nearly half of Los Angeles' population and 35% of registered voters in the city. But a recent survey by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) finds that more than half of the city's registered Latino voters said they had not received information on how to cast their ballot for the June 7 primary.
The report from NALEO, a nonprofit that promotes Latino civic participation, also shows that half of the respondents were unaware of upcoming local elections.
The poll of 1,100 Latino registered voters was taken from April 20-May 3. Since then, the L.A. County Registrar has mailed ballots to all registered voters.
NALEO CEO Arturo Vargas says Latino voters must not be taken for granted and that more outreach needs to be done to reach them.
Support for LAist comes from
"Latinos understand the importance of voting, but the lack of information about how to vote, information about candidates, can discourage Latinos from voting," Vargas said.
NALEO's survey showed that Latino voters care about the same issues most Angelenos worry about: the homelessness crisis, the rising cost of living, inflation and the lack of affordable housing.
But issues surrounding crime, community safety, immigrants' rights and the fear of being forced out of the city due to the rising cost of living are also on the top of their concerns.
"[Registered] Latino voters expressed that it is important to vote in elections even if they don't like politics," he said. "It's important to vote because of the impact that who wins elections will have on their lives."
Vargas says many Latino voters indicated they'll vote only on races with which they're familiar and outreach should include information about various political offices so people will understand the impact these races can have on their community.
"Latinos want to get more information," Vargas said. "They want to be contacted, and they're going to have to make up their minds by early June about who they'd like to support for Mayor, so there's an opportunity here for candidates and campaigns."
Support for LAist comes from
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist