New York, NY – In celebration of National Voter Registration Day and the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, Assembly Member Manny De Los Santos (D-Inwood) partnered with civic engagement organizations to help residents register to vote yesterday. The Assembly member, alongside the New York City Civic Engagement Commission, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and Citizen Action of New York, were at Quisqueya Plaza on Broadway and Dyckman for a day of community empowerment and celebration. Attendees were able to register, check voter status, and learn about more civic engagement opportunities while enjoying music, performances, food, and more.

There is a growing number of Latinos in the United States. Around 32 million Latinos were eligible to vote in 2020 and a projected 36 million will be eligible to vote in the 2024 general election, which would make up almost 15% of the entire eligible voting population in the country this November. New York has the fourth-highest number of Hispanic voters in the country and it’s important that these voices are heard at the polls.

Assemblymember Manny De Los Santos said, “We’ve seen the continued growth of our communities for years, and participation in the political process is crucial to help ensure that the issues important to us are a part of the political discussion. An engaged electorate in Hispanic communities allows those issues and values to be reflected in democratically elected representatives. Today’s event was about the celebration of that right and privilege to help bring more Latinos into this conversation of democracy, to be civically engaged and ensure that our interests are represented at all levels of government.”

“The Latino voice is powerful and can be a decisive factor in the U.S. Presidential elections,” said Sylvia R. Mata, State Director of LULAC New York.

“Our communities have the power to address systemic issues that impact our livelihood like the unaffordable cost of living or threats of deportation. By uniting our voices, we can demand significant change,” said Clèo Acevedo, Citizen Action of New York and NY BIPOC Democracy Table. “To achieve this, we must wield our political power. And voting can get us there. We must vote for issues that benefit our communities and support candidates who truly understand and represent our needs. This is how we ensure our communities are valued and heard. So let’s celebrate NVRD and Hispanic Heritage Month by getting everyone registered and #VoteReady for November.”

The deadline to register to vote in New York for the upcoming general election is October 26, 2024; mail registrations must be received by that same date. Citizens of the United States who will be 18 years old by election day and reside in New York can call the New York City Board of Elections at 1- 866-Vote-NYC or visit vote.nyc. Information is available in multiple languages.