The Importance of the Latinx Vote in the 2020 Election

Photo Courtesy of Association of Latin American Students Facebook 

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State Association of Latin American Students is working to educate students on the importance of voting for the Latinx community.

Last week ALAS worked with the Center for Community Engagement to provide a presentation and discussion on the importance of the Latinx vote.

The event, “Tu Voto Importa” aimed to explain the different ways to vote during the pandemic. The secretary of ALAS, Ximena Sanchez-Ramirez says they wanted to provide a resource for students.

“It is very important to educate people on the upcoming election,” said Sanchez-Ramirez. “Since we are in the middle of a pandemic, so many things look different. We wanted to make an event to help people know the right tools. We want to give them the right information about what they can expect on voting day. ”

Sanchez-Ramirez explains the Latinx community has 32 million eligible voters. Emphasizing the need to be educated on the ways they are able to vote and who is on the ballot.

She later explains the importance of helping first-time voters and recalls how overwhelming her first election was. She says voting does not only involve and impact her life but her family, friends and an entire community.

Sanchez-Ramirez also emphasizes the importance of voting to advocate and represent those who don’t have the opportunity to vote.

“The best thing you can do is go out there and vote,” said Sanchez-Ramirez. “The best thing you can do to help your undocumented friends and DACA recipients is by going out to vote because they don’t have a voice in this election but you do. So make sure you go ahead and use it.”