In 2018, we launched the Latinos for Democracy initiative, the only local Latino-led nonpartisan voter mobilization and protection coalition with statewide reach. Our goal is to increase turnout every year regardless of the election.
Since the beginning, LCF Georgia organizes, leads, funds and reports on the collective impact work of the Latinos for Democracy Coalition ensuring local priorities, field work and tactics are centered. For elections’ protection, we expand our reach and include and fund national groups with local presence covering counties and polling locations that increase the blueprint of our coalition.
Democracy is a participatory sport. For it to be representative we ensure all can participate to the best of their abilities and capacities, not just voting.
Promoting Civic Engagement Through a Strategic Lens
Our Civic Engagement and Participation work is developed in 5 phases, all year, every year.
- Information – Identifying and increasing awareness on what types of elections are occurring every year.
- Education– How do those positions on the ballot affect me? That is the question we focus on answering during this phase of our annual campaign.
- Registration – We register citizens to vote, we register volunteers that want to do field work or support elections; protection.
- Mobilization – Now that you know who is on the ballot and how those positions affect you, and you are registered to be part of the election, is time to show up and show out. Through a mix of field and digital tactics, we touch every single voter at least twice every year to ensure we have all the information we need to vote and participate.
- Protection – Supporting all voters that need assistance, making sure that no one is harassed at the polls and that everyone is able to exercise their rights
Civic Engagement & Latinos for Democracy Impact
More than 475,000 Latinos are registered to vote in Georgia, making 6% of the Georgia electorate and critical voting bloc every election. Data analysis and experiments show that using our model and tactics, those contacted through the Latinos for Democracy framework show up to the polls 56% of the time, which is an estimated 20% improvement from those that we have no communication with.
Depending on the election and candidates, it is also known that when platforms reflect the realities affecting Latinos, we show up.
- In 2018, Millennial Latino in Georgia voters increased turnout by 700% compared to the previous term. The entire community increased turnout in 400%
- In 2020, Latino voter turnout in Gwinnett County was 75% (traditionally around 30%). Over 50% of early voters in person in Georgia were Latinos under 40 years old. 46% of all voters had not voted in 2016.
- In 2024, Latino turnout in Georgia was over 60%, exceeding national averages. Unlike other states, Latinos in Georgia moved to the right only 1%.
Partners in Civic Engagement
This collaborative effort is in partnership with the following member organizations:
Because Democracy is lived all year, after our elections’ campaign, our team evolves to do advocacy and keep elected and appointed officials accountable as part of various coalitions.