**Media Advisory for November 2, 3:45-4:15 p.m.**

Youth Vote, Hispanic Vote Surging; Groups Will Gather to Highlight First-time Voters and Poll ID Requirements

 

Phoenix, AZ -  Marking the close of early voting this Friday, several local and national groups will gather together with students and first-time voters on the steps of the Maricopa County Elections Department. The Friday afternoon rally will highlight the surge of young Latino registrants, challenge the Secretary of State’s "suspense" list, educate the public on voter identification requirements, and reemphasize the message of "Get Out and Vote."

Viviana Hurtado, Project Vote’s Latino Outreach Coordinator and Spokesperson will join forces with leading Arizona non-profits including Arizona Advocacy Network, Mi Familia Vota, and One Arizona to energize voters. Hurtado, an award winning journalist and blogger, has been traveling across the United States this fall, reaching out to the nation’s diverse Hispanic community to encourage voter registration and voter participation. She is traveling with the message: "your vote matters for you and for your community."

 

After school gets out on Friday, young high school first-time voters will cast their ballots at the Maricopa County Elections Office, with the support of the Arizona Advocacy Network. This is one of the 15 locations available in Maricopa County for early voting.

 

"All signs show this is going to be another popular election and every vote is important," says Viviana Hurtado. "We encourage everyone, especially young people, to get involved in voting and have their voices heard. Our democracy works best when every American participates."

 

 Francisco Heredia, Mi Familia Vota

 Viviana Hurtado, Project Vote

 Monica Sandschafer, One Arizona      

 Sam Wercinski, Arizona Advocacy Network Foundation

 Representative, Arizona Students’ Association

Contact: Sue Dorfman at 202 546-4173 x 314.

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