Latinos Encouraging Other Latinos to Register to Vote

BELVIDERE - Elections are fast approaching and groups across the country want to make sure people have their voices heard in the upcoming election.  Tomorrow marks National Voter Registration day, and people across the Stateline are helping to get out the vote.

Workers in the County Board of Elections office are working hard to make sure everyone that registers to vote is actually registered to do so.  Just over 85,000 people in Winnebago County are actually registered to vote, out of over 200,000 eligible to do so.  The number is slowly growing.

"A lot of the forms that we've received have been changes of addresses, a lot of women that have gotten married need to change their name legally," said Margie Mullins, Winnebago County Clerk.

The biggest group of new registrants is those just eligible for the first time.

"Probably if anything we've had more people, especially the young people which is encouraging to see, because the young people are what make this nation in the future," said Mullins.

For those just eligible to vote for the first time, you can't register to vote completely online.  You do have to print out the application and fill it out manually before returning it to the appropriate office, but it's still a simple process.

But for some like those with a language barrier - it may not be that simple.  That's why Cristina Gloria, a part of the Latino Leadership Coaltion, is helping Hispanics get out the vote.

"We've been gathering information for the different communities about where they can go to vote, what organizations are doing it, how you can do it, and we've been trying to communicate that to potential voters," said Gloria.

Her group is helping spread the word about organizations like Alerta, which is organizing voter registration booths around the Belvidere area at places like LaFiesta Market.  She says Latinos need to step because many issues concerning them may be made by others they don't want making those decisions, especially if they don't take the time to vote.

"Some of them [Latinos] I think they're holding back not to register," said Gloria. 

"I think many people, not only Latinos, but across populations sometimes they say, 'You know they're going to do whatever they want anyway,' or 'My vote is only one vote,' but it's just not true."

The deadline to register to vote is October 9^th.

Voter Registration Information

Alerta Assistance Locations & Times

September 30 - 1:00 - 4:00 PM @ La Canasta, Fiesta Market & Alerta

October 5 - 3:00 - 7:00 PM @ La Canasta, Fiesta Market & Alerta

October 9 - 3:00 - 7:00 PM @ La Canasta, Fiesta Market & Alerta

*Proper ID and proof of residence is required.

Voter Registration Locations in Rockford

September 29 - 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM @ Logli's on Charles St., Hilander on Mulford Rd., Hilander on Honenegah Rd

September 30 - 12:00 - 5:00 PM @ Logli's on Charles St., Hilander on Mulford Rd., Hilander on Honenegah Rd

October 6 - 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM @ Logli's on State St., Logli's on Harlem Rd., Logli's on Rockton Ave., Hilander on Alpine

October 7 - 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM @ Logli's on State St., Logli's on Harlem Rd., Logli's on Rockton Ave., Hilander on Alpine

For more information on how to register to vote click here to get the form to register to vote in both English and Spanish.