FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, September 23, 2022
CONTACT: Christine Bolaños, [email protected], (512) 767-2978
JOLT ACTION PARTICIPATES IN CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS
ROUNDTABLE AT NATION’S CAPITOL
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Jolt Action’s Interim Executive Director and Communications Director were among 14 Latino leaders selected from across the country to participate in a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Roundtable and Reception in Washington, D.C., this week. They briefed Members of Congress, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, on the challenges Latino voters face in Texas to ensure their votes are counted and offered strategic solutions to inform policy for the upcoming Legislative agenda in the U.S. Congress.
“Jolt participated in an extraordinary discussion with leaders of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus along with organizations across the nation to address issues on voter access, voter suppression and redistricting/gerrymandering,” said Jolt Action Interim Executive Director Diana Maldonado.
“As Texas Latinos have now become the largest demographic in our state, political, education and economic disparities prevail, and we are at the forefront of bringing attention to discriminatory tactics and legislation that impede Latinos from exercising their constitutional right to vote in a democratic process,” Maldonado said. “Jolt remains committed to harnessing the power, advocacy and engagement that build strong communities and economies through its unique culturally-relevant advocacy and programming.”
The Jolt spokespersons advocated for federal legislation that would make Election Day a federal holiday and for a federal mandate that would ensure Texans can register to vote online, a right that Texans don’t currently have. In addition, the team pushed for voter registration literature and information to be accessible in Spanish and for Congress to allocate funding towards ensuring these resources are available in strategic locations frequented by the Latino community not just throughout Texas, but throughout the country.
Through this opportunity, Jolt staff was also in the unprecedented position to amplify the work that Jolt does to harness the power of Latino culture to empower young Latinos and transform Texas via some of the nation’s most influential figures.
“The fact that Jolt’s organizers have registered over 11,000 Texans to vote so far this year, and that doesn’t even account for the GOTV canvassing effort we’re about to roll out, is a testament to the success of our one-of-a-kind and culturally relevant voter registration program. Building relationships with Members of Congress and other like-minded organizations at the national level will only grow Jolt’s outreach efforts and ensure we are meeting first-time voters where they’re at during a turning point in our state’s history that will determine our futures for years to come,” said Jolt Action Communications Director Christine Bolaños.
To arrange an interview, contact our Communications Team at [email protected]
ABOUT JOLT ACTION
Founded in 2016, Jolt Action is a progressive civic engagement organization focused on building the political power and influence of young Latinos in Texas.
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