Category Archives: President 2012

It is great to see the Tacos and Votes event come to fruition. A great team of civic leaders has gotten  together to develop this program for this upcoming Early Voting Saturday in Southwest Houston.

Growing up in South Texas, voting and BBQ rallies went hand-in-hand–good food and great and empowering speeches before sending folks to the ballot box. I’m sure glad these folks have targeted my part of town because there is a great need to empower folks over here. I’m looking forward to being there on Saturday.

Here’s the press release:

HOUSTON, TEXAS – A coalition of new, professional Latino civic leaders from established non-profits organizations have united to celebrate the right to vote by organizing Tacos & Votes, a free community gathering and march to the ballot on Saturday, May 19, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Bayland Park located at 6400 Bissonnet Street.

Organizers are motivated by concerns over low voter turnout, the voter ID/voter suppression controversy, and lack of community access to information. It is necessary to bring our community together to fully participate in the American political process to make our voices heard at the polls and develop a vibrant culture of Latino voting.

Bayland Park serves as a family-friendly setting in the “Latino opportunity” City Council District J, as well as a polling location for early voting in the May primary elections. Deputy voter registrars will be present to register citizens eligible to vote and distribute bilingual voter guides. Demonstrations on how to use the E-Slate voting machines will be done by volunteers. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided along with mariachis and activities for kids. Strictly a non-partisan effort, voters and candidates of all affiliations in Harris County are encouraged to attend.

Event Schedule

10:00 a.m. – Get Out the Vote (GOTV) Neighborhood Canvassing
12:00 p.m. – Family GOTV Barbeque
12:30 p.m. – Community Dialogue
1:00 p.m. – Piñata with a Purpose
1:15 p.m. – Press Conference
1:45 p.m. – March to the Ballot
2 – 3:00 p.m. – Voting and Wrap-up

Increased Latino population has not translated into proportional voting or political representation; however, a new and vibrant Latino culture of civic engagement is emerging to affirm its presence in the political process. This targeted effort will raise awareness and get out the vote.

Participants in the consortium of non-partisan groups and individuals: Familias Inmigrantes y Estudiantes en la Lucha (FIEL), Greater Houston Civic Coalition, Houston Area League of Women Voters Education Fund, Latino Giving Houston, Texas League of Young Voters Education Fund, Mi Familia Vota, NALEO Educational Fund, National Hispanic Professional Organization (NHPO), NHPO Leadership Institute and The UNO Project (Uniendo Nuestras Organizaciones).

AND FYI:  VOTER ID IS NOT IN EFFECT. You can vote with your voter registration certificate or another acceptable form of ID:

Acceptable identification includes:

• a driver’s license or personal identification card issued to the person by the Department of Public Safety or a similar document issued to the person by an agency of another state, regardless of whether the license or card has expired;
• a form of identification containing the person’s photograph that establishes the person’s identity;
• a birth certificate or other document confirming birth that is admissible in a court of law and establishes the person’s identity;
• United States citizenship papers issued to the person;
• a United States passport issued to the person;
• official mail addressed to the person by name from a governmental entity;
• a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter; or
• any other form of identification prescribed by the Secretary of State.