The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County clerk and community partners gathered in the Chinatown Branch Library on Thursday, Feb. 13, to launch the “Let’s Get Every Vote In” campaign to encourage communities in Los Angeles County, especially voters of color, to cast their ballots in the March 2024 Primary Election.
“Voting is the fundamental right of all American citizens, and every community in LA County should understand the options available so they can make their voices heard,” said Dean C. Logan, LA County Registrar-Recorder/County clerk.
Logan was joined by community organizations that work on voter engagement – the Pilipino Workers Center, the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE), the Council of Mexican Federations in North America (COFEM) and Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education (SCOPE).
“COFEM has long been involved in reaching out to Latino voters. We are dedicated to empowering immigrant communities to be full participants in the social, political, economic and cultural life of the United States and of their home country,” said Francisco Moreno, executive director at COFEM.
“We envision a fair and inclusive America where immigrant communities have a voice, access to the process and the ability to preserve their cultural identity,” he added.
Speakers noted that the county provides ballots in 18 different languages and encouraged early voter participation.
“Voting in Los Angeles County is easy and convenient. We encourage voters to vote by mail and to vote early,” said Ernie Serrano, integrated voter engagement organizer at SCOPE.
Ballots were mailed to registered voters on Feb. 1, and communities can participate early in the primary by returning their ballot by mail or at an Official Ballot Drop Box. People can also vote early in person at one of the 140 Vote Centers beginning on Feb. 24.
From March 2 through March 5, Election Day, voters will also have the option to cast ballots in person at one of the 524 additional voting centers.
Rafael Fabián will be participating in his first election. He came to the U.S. from Mexico in 1991, and after 26 years of hiding as an undocumented immigrant, he and his wife applied for and obtained citizenship.
“At my oath ceremony, I was handed a voter registration and I realized the importance of my duty. As a citizen with no knowledge of the process, I confess I was afraid to participate, insecure about how it all works and unsure of the steps to take,” admitted Fabián.
Fabián added that he feared being questioned or attacked if he voted in person. He shared how the convenience of voting by mail allows him to comfortably exercise his right to vote.
“Whether you’re a longtime voter, a first-time voter or even an aspiring voter, everyone has a voice and we can all do our part in effecting change,” said Ian Kamus, community services co-director at Pilipino Workers Center.
On the clerk’s website, voters can register to vote, check their registration status, update personal information, request a Vote by Mail crossover ballot and more.
Lovely Gomez, a new Filipino voter, signed her registration card at the library.
“When I go to vote, I will be thinking about my friends, my neighbors and those people in my community [who are] in need of help,” said Gomez. “I am grateful for this right and I will make sure my vote counts.”
For more information visit: plan.lavote.gov.