Volunteers aim to register 500,000 immigrant voters, mobilize others
By Ashleigh Oldland, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published July 14, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Chris Schneider / The Rocky
Martha Carranza holds her grandson, Estevan Contreras, on Thursday during a news conference marking the launch of an effort to help more immigrants apply for citizenship and vote.Carranza, 51, is a new U.S. citizen from Mexico.
Martha Carranza has lived in Denver for the past 27 years, but this is the first year she is going to vote.
She's not alone.
Members of Ya Es Hora Coalition, We Are America Alliance Coalition of Colorado, Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, and Latina Initiative last week held a news conference to mark the launch of an effort to help more immigrants apply for citizenship and become a part of the civic process.
This year, volunteers hope to register 500,000 new Latino, Asian and immigrant voters in 13 states as well as encourage 1 million registered voters to go to the polls, said Rachel Hamrick with We Are America Alliance.
Carranza, 51, an immigrant from Mexico, is a new U.S. citizen. She said it is important to her to be involved in the voting process.
"The life in the U.S. is completely different than Mexico," Carranza said.
"I have rights here. I am respected. I have a voice and I am heard."
Carranza works as a housekeeper and event caterer on top of baby-sitting her young grandson, Estevan.
She said she has educated herself by reading U.S. newspapers and magazines and hopes someday to complete her GED.
"To speak English was hard," she said.
"I try to learn one new word a week."
Among those at the news conference was Patricia Gonzalez, 15.
Gonzalez isn't old enough to vote yet, but she volunteers for Latina Initiative and Latinas Increasing Political Strength so that she can encourage other Latinas to vote.
The T-shirt Gonzalez wore read: "I am Latina and I vote! Yo soy Latina y yo voto!"
Oldlanda@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5624
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July 14, 2008
12:52 a.m.
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STOPUSAGiveaway writes:
VOTE FRAUD: that is exactly how the now non appearing and living on a island Federico Pena was elected.....33,000 illegals were registered. Look what he did: the Denver Airport--and Arkansas Airport BILLIONs missing and the airports will never be
what they were designed to do...
So ain't THE RACE doing marvelous things to take down the USA
Where will they run when we are bankrupt and overrun?
Dial#2 for SPANISH....I bet the Communist Chinese won't put up with that if we aren't JIHADISTed lst!
July 14, 2008
1 a.m.
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STOPUSAGiveaway writes:
PS The difference in ------------: I think I will sue the Peace Corps. I had to learn Spanish in S E V E N W E E K S: and it had to be a l.5 out of a 5 rating. So if I did a word a week: I would be dead. Que lastima....what a wonderful world it is for someone who doesn't have a clue what it takes to be a responsible contributing human being...and how America came to be a nation.. By the time she learns: we won't exist--but will she know it???
July 14, 2008
1:26 a.m.
Suggest removal
p_myers661 writes:
Now do those of you who scoffed at those asking for picture ID for voting understand WHY it is necessary? No, it is PAST necessary.If we don't get it and soon, we can count on busloads of illegals going from polling place to polling place presenting Xcel bills as ID.
July 14, 2008
2:16 a.m.
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Creative_N_Denver writes:
I wish every person who came to the United States would work hard and learn the English language as Carranza did.
July 14, 2008
3:27 a.m.
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Shadow writes:
Nice to know that we not only out source jobs but the responsibility of who is elected in this country as well.
July 14, 2008
5:55 a.m.
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jacka writes:
"I have rights here. I am respected. I have a voice and I am heard."
Yes you are and thank you for not bypassing the citizenship process.
I wish the reporter would have asked her whether or not she thought ballots should be printed in Spanish too. Based on he knowing English, I doubt it.
Just wondering. Despierte, América
July 14, 2008
5:59 a.m.
Suggest removal
Mike846 writes:
The Democrat Party has used voter fraud to win elections since the 1850's; you could look it up. What they intend to do with todays illegal aliens is mobilize them just as Boss Tweed mobilized the Irish in New York before, during and after the Civil War. This article is about one woman who became a citizen; its a metaphor so you'll think EVERYONE of La Raza (The Race)is eligible to vote. What a crock. Mike
July 14, 2008
6:15 a.m.
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commoncents writes:
No where in the article did it address illegal aliens. I don't think anyone one without voting rights will be courted in the election. However to get all peoples that can vote to the polls should be the aim of both parties. However the old status quo would have minorities feel that their votes really don't count and stay home, or when they do show up try and make the process one that will discount their votes in the end. America is still not free of its desire to use slave labor and appear to be a beacon of hope to the world. But the times they are a changin'......that beacon might start to actually be a visable light on the horizon for some.
July 14, 2008
6:36 a.m.
Suggest removal
vudumom writes:
If the election rules are enforced with a picture i.d. rule, there will still be massive voter fraud. The groups courting illegals will just make sure every illegal has a fake i.d. card. If any card is suspect at the polls, they will then pull out their back-up i.d. card, the race card.
July 14, 2008
7:12 a.m.
Suggest removal
roger44 writes:
I'm glad she became a citizen and got legal. Obama thinks all our kids should learn Spanish. Why? Very few would use it, unless they let another 20 million illegals in the country, and that's almost a given if the politicians don't get off their duffs.
July 14, 2008
7:28 a.m.
Suggest removal
vudumom writes:
Why should Republicans waste their time on black voters when 97% of them are going to vote for Obama because he is black. They will vote along Democratic lines because Obama says to. Good thing they do not have to think before they vote this time. That would be too much to ask.
I think the Republicans are waiting for the White Arts Festival. Oh, wait that's racist isn't it.
July 14, 2008
7:37 a.m.
Suggest removal
happymike44 writes:
Todays word is deportation can you say it.
What is about to happen is voter fraud because every illegal alien is going to sign up.
I know there are a lot of good people,but I worry that some people will vote who have no right to vote and corrupt the voting process.
Well lucky us they are winning the battle free healthcare and schooling.
Also let's not forget the free section 8 housing and food stamps.
Why are we paying to support people who have children on welfare.
This needs to stop if you have children pay for them yourself.
Don't ask the rest of us to pay for your not being able to cross your legs.
July 14, 2008
7:51 a.m.
Suggest removal
Mike1969 writes:
I agree ILLEGAL aliens shouldn't be able to vote and they all should be deported. (Actually if we just forced ALL employers to use E-verify to verify the status of all workers, they would self deport. Both candidates are pandering to the ILLEGAL aliens and both support AMNESTY!
Where do I sign up to be an ILLEGAL alien? can I have all of my taxes back and instead pay a small fine to become a citizen?
July 14, 2008
8:12 a.m.
Suggest removal
glowrock writes:
What in the world does this article have to do with illegal aliens? Absolutely nothing! It's about a voter registration drive for new citizens eligible to vote!
I swear, does every freaking topic have to result in some off-base discussion of illegal immigration?
July 14, 2008
8:39 a.m.
Suggest removal
Alive writes:
Hey Illegals,
Obama is going to use you to get elected, then discard you once the reality of our national security situation is placed on his shoulders.
Actually being president of the United States would leave him no doubt that the radical leftist stuff will not be allowed. The people will not tolerate a move to socialist ideals.
He will have to be EVERYONE'S president, not just you professional victim types. And there are more of us than there are of you.
July 14, 2008
9:04 a.m.
Suggest removal
18Zwife writes:
Several months back the Chicago Tribune had a video of new U.S. citizens being interviewed and not one could speak English. Same thing happened in El Paso Texas; the new citizens interviewed could not speak English. Odd considering the citizenship test is in English…only.
Carranza claims to be an autodidact in the English language (and apparently American history too) and so I’m curious as to how well she did on the U.S. citizenship test. If she can pass the citizenship test, obtaining her GED should be a piece of cake. Wonder why she hasn’t so far?
July 14, 2008
9:16 a.m.
Suggest removal
blacksho89 writes:
I think artstarzz is happymike. Look at the "writing" style.
Mike! Quit arguing with yourself; it's getting scary.
July 14, 2008
10:45 a.m.
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vudumom writes:
Do you have to be a citizen to vote or are you allowed to have a green card?
If you have to be a citizen to vote then why are they getting immigrants to register?
If you only have to have a green card that sort of undermines the voting process doesn't it?
If you are a immigrant then you are not a citizen.
Once you become a citizen you are not an immigrant, you are an American.
It sounds to me they are registering illegals and illiterates.With a few citizens thrown in for good measure.
That's really going to help America.
July 14, 2008
11:04 a.m.
Suggest removal
jay writes:
i hear a lot of conspiracy theories about illegal immigrants voting this election.
can one of you tinfoil brigade members walk me through how an illegal immigrant registers to vote and then walks into a polling place and makes that happen?
July 14, 2008
11:06 a.m.
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rpmcmurphy writes:
Save the USA.
Vote for Ron Paul.
Write him in.
July 14, 2008
11:23 a.m.
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redwhiteandBLUE writes:
Part of the "Dream Act" for illegals along with Amnesty is to join the Army. So, get ready all illegal men and women ...Iraq is waiting
for you. And Obama has promised Amnesty.
VIVA LA MIGRA !(LONG LIVE ICE)
July 14, 2008
11:35 a.m.
Suggest removal
Jilly writes:
Aztlan - Reconquista:
"We have an aging white America. They are dying......They are ********in their pants with fear! I love it!"
"We're a new Mestizo nation"
"We have got to eliminate the gringo, and what I mean by that is if the worst comes to the worst, we have got to kill him"
"Our devil has pale skin and blue eyes"
Professor Jose Angel Gutlerrez, Founder of La Raza
July 14, 2008
11:53 a.m.
Suggest removal
Heidi writes:
Whoa, Jilly! Are you a La Raza supporter or just trying to raise awareness of the evils of La Raza?
July 14, 2008
12:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
Jilly writes:
I am NOT a LaRaza supporter at all.
For the record, I am 1/2 Hispanic - was born here, my parents were born here. We never learned Spanish at home although my father spoke it as well as several other languages.
It's beyond me why any citizen, no matter what race, would want illegals here getting the special benefits that LaRaza demands. I thought the whole idea for us to be Americans was to get a chance for success earned by our own efforts - not handouts that only breed resentment and a false sense of entitlement.
July 14, 2008
12:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
Heidi writes:
Ok, Jilly, I was hoping that's how you feel. Good for you.
July 14, 2008
12:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
Heidi writes:
artstarzz,
What are you talking about???????
July 14, 2008
12:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
jay writes:
mrs100..."fake id's" are going to let illegal immigrants register to vote as a citizen of the us and allow them to get on voter rolls.
can you post a link to the information that leads you to believe that this is going to be a significant problem for this election cycle?
July 14, 2008
12:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
Heidi writes:
artstarzz,
You, to my surprise, did not agree with the quotes provided by Jilly of Professor Jose Angel Gutlerrez, Founder of La Raza. So why do you criticize me for calling them evil? Threats to kill a whole race is evil to me, no matter what race it is.
July 14, 2008
1:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
Heidi writes:
arty,
If my thought that Mexicans should follow the legal process of naturalization is considered evil, then so be it.
July 14, 2008
3:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
JB writes:
I had to stop reading the comments halfway down due to the vast idoiocy being displayed.
Vudumom... perhaps you should not be allowed to vote since you clearly don't know the laws involving. You must be a citizen, not just have a green card.
You said, "If you have to be a citizen to vote then why are they getting immigrants to register?"
That comment is the height of stupidity! No where does it say illegal...
I knew, before even reading the story, that a large number of comments would be angry, assuming that these were illegals... you assume every Mexican is illegal... sheer idoiocy.
July 14, 2008
3:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
Jilly writes:
For all you who seem to think illegals don't really cause any significant issues here or whatever your reasons are for supporting this - I challenge you to watch this:
http://www.numbersusa.com/content/res...
July 14, 2008
4:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
vendari01 writes:
If you are a citizen of the United States of America, vote. I do not care what race you are, where you or your ancestors came from, what your religious beliefs may be, or even what your gender and gender preferences are. Vote! If you don't like the laws as they are, build up a large enough voting bloc to change them. This is what democracy is all about! I do not like illegal immigration, and it is illegal, if you do not follow the proper procedures. Do that, and become a citizen of this great nation- then vote! But please, do not expect me to learn Spanish. My mother's parents were German, and they learned English, despite the difficulty. We are from all over the world; trying to speak every language would be impossible. Trust me, it's all worth the effort.
July 14, 2008
4:59 p.m.
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Alive writes:
I vote.
July 14, 2008
5:58 p.m.
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wisdomwriter writes:
The beauty of democracy. We can disagree all we want and have some great debates based on 99% erroneous information manipulated to say whatever the writer wants it to say....
Only in America....
July 15, 2008
7 a.m.
Suggest removal
Juspassinby writes:
What a cool way to track down all the illegals with fake IDs. What a great sting. All the little illegal leeches might as well pack and leave.
July 15, 2008
7:25 a.m.
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glowrock writes:
Again, just what in the world does this have to do with illegal immigration??? This is a voter drive to register newly-naturalized CITIZENS! What the heck is everyone's problem here?
My god, the stupidity exhibited in threads like these is truly astounding.
July 15, 2008
11:05 a.m.
Suggest removal
jay writes:
i'm still waiting on ANYONE to fill me in on how this far right wing conspiracy about illegal immigrant voting blocs actually works.