GOTV & Voter Education Special Issue

Latino Vote Reporter

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L a t i n o Vo t e R e p o r t e r Vol. IX No. 3

A Southwest Voter Registration Education Project Publication

Fall - Winter 2004

Switching to Get-out-the-Vote

Urgent Fund Appeal

As voter registration concludes, SVREP is rapidly converting its 151 active committees into 15-20 phone banks and 45-50 canvasses in California, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington.

SVREP is asking for your support for an urgent cause: educating and turning out the Latino vote in this year's federal and state elections. As you may know, the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project (SVREP) has launched a massive and successful effort to dramatically raise Latino voter registration. Working with groups like LULAC, LCLAA, the NAACPNational Voter Fund, the Earth Day Network and many, many others, SVREP has helped catalyze Latino registration growth to the once inconceivable total of 10,000,000 Latino Registered Voters across the land!

Follow-up lists of the voters that were registered are being produced and disseminated to the phone banks and canvasses. Additional lists of recently registered occasional Latino voters are being purchases from various vendors and disseminated as well. SVREP is targeting a group of 125,000-150,000 new and occasional voters who will be contacted 3-5 times personally from now through Election Day.

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Democrats and Republicans are appealing to Latino voters like never before. Senator Kerry and President Bush are both pinning (continued on Page 6)

Win with 5/Con 5 Se Gana Victor Lopez for a NewAmerica Persuade five friends to vote on election day and gain a chance to win a brand new car! It's that simple, really. This innovative incentive is a new contest sponsored by SVREP to drive GOTV efforts in four key states for the upcoming 2004 Presidential Elections. Win with 5/Con Cinco Se Gana is a challenge designed to utilize a high profile strategy to recruit motivated individuals to engage in a spirited community dialog about the need to vote. Celebrities including Danny Glover and Edward James Olmos have enlisted their support to promote this exciting campaign.

Television viewers throughout the nation will have the opportunity to view Southwest Voter Registration Education Project's youth initiative, Fuerza Latina's, nationwide PSA campaign called "Don't Be Invisible, Vote!", starring acclaimed actor Esai Morales as Victor Lopez, a fictional Latino Presidential candidate. The English and Spanish-language PSAs will begin running on radio and television stations around the country during the month of October leading up to the presidential election and on SVREP's and Fuerza Latina's websites, www.svrep.org and www.fuerzalatina.net. The overall concept of the PSA campaign is "Victor Lopez for

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(continued on Page 5) © Southwest Voter Registration Education Project

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Latino Vote Reporter

Win with 5 (continued from Page 1)

It's the first time SVREP has offered an incentive of this magnitude. "Con Cinco Se Gana", SVREP volunteers in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Nevada have a chance to win a new 2005 Ford by showing proof that five of their friends, neighbors, or family members voted on November 2nd. Volunteers/contestants can gain as many chances to win as they get their friends to vote. The goal is to enlist the support of at least 1,000 registered voters in these four battleground states where an increased turn out of Latino and Native American voters can make a difference. This strategy will ensure a minimum of 5,000 new and occasional voters. "It's imperative Latino voters show up to vote on election day," emphasizes Antonio Gonzalez, President SVREP, "Latino voters can become a considerable voting block. We expect Latino voters to be close to 10 million strong this November. These numbers represent the potential for significant political clout."

to vote in their home state for the November election will receive one entry in the 'Con Cinco Se Gana' Sweepstakes. Volunteers may not use themselves as one of the voters listed on the entry form. For more information about the 'Con Cinco Se Gana' sweepstakes, official rules and eligibility, please visit the website at www.take5anddrive.org or call our toll free number at 1.888.5DRIVE5.

The 'Con Cinco Se Gana' sweepstakes is open to volunteers who are at least 18 years of age, are registered voters of any party, and reside in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona or Nevada. Volunteers must reside in the state in which they are registered, and can only participate in that state. Volunteers may enter the sweepstakes by either receiving an entry form at any of the SVREP offices or by downloading an entry form at www.take5anddrive.org. Volunteers who get five eligible voters

SVREP will use celebrities such as Danny Glover and Edward James Olmos on Billboards, in Radio Spots, Mailings, Theater Ads and in Telephone Calls to Recruit People to Participate. Other events include GOTV Rallies/Car Displays and tactics such as guerilla marketing/web and blogs will be used to generate energy.

The Marden-Kane Company, one of the nation's leading sweepstakes companies, has been hired to manage the contest. The campaign will obtain legal certification of all contest rules and procedures to ensure compliance with State and Federal Sweepstakes and Election law. Appropriate security and auditing services will be obtained to assure a fair and honest awarding of prizes. Community Groups, Colleges, and Churches will be utilized to assist with recruitment.

Chief Editor: Antonio Gonzalez Layout: Zachary Gonzalez Contributors: Lydia Camarillo, Alvaro Fernandez, Patricia Gonzales and Sandra Pérez

Latino Vote Reporter is published by the Communications Department of Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, a national tax exempt, non-partisan organization founded in 1974 to improve the level of participation and representation of Latinos and their communities. For more information, contact:

National Administrative Office Kelly USA, Building 1670 206 Lombard Street, 2nd Floor San Antonio, TX 78226 Phone: (210) 922-0225 Fax: (210) 932-4055 Toll Free: (800) 404-VOTE

California Regional Office 2914 N. Main St. 2nd Floor Los Angeles, CA 90031 Phone: (323) 343-9299 Fax: (323) 343-9100 Toll Free: (800) 222-5654

Florida Regional Office 2646-A NW 21 Terrace Miami, FL 33142 Phone: (305) 635-3934 Toll Free: (866) 404-VOTE

Arizona Regional Office 31 E. Southern Ave., Suite 1 Phoenix, Arizona 85042 Phone (602) 268-VOTE Fax (602) 305-7936 Toll Free: (866) 292-VOTE

www.svrep.org

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Latino Vote Reporter

Natalie Morales and Chris Matthews Partner with SVREP for Latino Vote Special Recognized for its work in the area of Latino political empowerment, Southwest Voter Registration Education Project (SVREP) will be featured on a nationally televised documentary examining the potential Chris Matthews, MSNBC News Anchor power of the Latino vote. "Decision 2004: The Latino Vote" was produced by KNBC and Telemundo in Los Angeles. The half-hour documentary brings to light the fact that Latinos are the fastest growing group of potential voters in the United States. "We're thrilled that the findings we've been touting are being acknowledged by the media. Millions of viewers will soon be educated about the political clout at the reach of the Latino electorate. This documentary should excite our community and my hope is that it will motivate Latinos to become involved in the political process and vote in the upcoming election," said Antonio Gonzalez, President SVREP. "Decision 2004: The Latino Vote" examines the possible influence the Latino vote may have on the outcome of the November Presidential election and on the future of politics in the United States. "Latinos represent a significant portion of the population and we were surprised to see that the numbers didn't translate into significantly more registered voters or actual voters at the polls. We wanted to find out why and what was being done across the country to encourage voter participation and if it will have an impact on the November election and on politics in general," said Rebecca Nieto, Executive Producer of the specials.

voting population that is growing six times faster than any other group. Along with SVREP President, Antonio Gonzales, a number of authorities, experts and politicians are featured, i n c l u d i n g , Congresswoman Loretta Natalie Morales, MSNBC Anchor Sanchez; Former U.S. Housing Secretary Henry Cisneros, and representatives from the Bush and Kerry Campaigns as well as Presidential Candidates John Kerry and Ralph Nader. Six segments, featuring interviews with experts and top authorities, will be featured in the specials. Topics include: "Latinos as Voters," a look at whether Latinos are likely to vote and if they trust their politicians' promises; "The Issues," what the biggest concerns are for Latinos and what's important to a Latino voter; "Battleground States," the four states where Latino voters could ultimately decide the presidential election; "Getting the Latino Vote," the marketing strategies of the Democratic and Republican parties; "The Potential Power and the Future of Latino Political Power," a look at how the growing Latino population will translate into the number of Latinos in public office; "Who are Latinos?," an overview of the largest minority group in the United States, their philosophies and attitudes toward political participation (English version only) and "What Does It Mean To Be Latino," does the Latino label accurately depict the rich diversity of this group (Spanish version only).

"Decision 2004: The Latino Vote" and "Decisión 2004: El Voto Latino," takes a nonpartisan look at this potential © Southwest Voter Registration Education Project

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Latino Vote Reporter

Become an SVREP Champion SVREP is announcing a new fundraising program called SVREP Champions. As colleagues in the world of business and politics, we are asking our community and business members to join us in giving a little back to the community. Remember donations to SVREP are tax-deductible. SVREP is nonpartisan and does not endorse or support candidates or political parties. All donations will be used to fund nonpartisan mailers, TV and radio ads, phone banks, walk pieces, and precinct canvassers.

Refer to the response sheet on page 7 to review how you will be recognized for your generous gift. Please give generously. Our community needs you to be its champion! Amongst the individuals that are helping to raise funds by founding the SVREP Champions program are: Danny Villanueva, CEO, Bastion Capital, Henry Cisneros, CEO, American City Vista, Walter Ulloa, Chairman & CEO, Entravision Communications (continued on Page 6)

Voter Registration (continued from Page 1)

Voter education walk-pieces are being provided by our Campaign for Communities partner the Earth Day Network. Radio and TV public service announcements have been produced by our youth initiative Fuerza Latina that feature Esai Morales. They are being placed on mass media throughout the country. You can access the PSA’s by going through our website www.svrep.org. It’s titled “Victor Lopez for a New America”.

Summer-Fall Spring-Summer Summer-Fall State 2003 vrep 2004 vrep 2004 vrep Total Texas 324 1,337 17,209 18,870 New Mexico 86 3,568 13,536 17,190 California 752 1,277 12,297 14,326 Florida 722 3,109 9,246 13,077 Colorado 986 8,812 9,798 Arizona 1,424 1,277 6,065 8,766 Washington 1,044 3,252 4,296 Oregon 747 1,446 2,193 Georgia 328 996 1,324 Subtotal 3,308 13,673 72,859 89,840

An SVREP partnership with NBC/Telemundo has produced a 30 minutes special on the Latino vote that is do not include the registrations gathered by our national partners showing in English and Spanish throughout major media markets in LULAC, LCLAA, the Hispanic Federation, Earth Day across the U.S. Network, and the NAACP National Voter Fund. We are racing to raise the resources necessary to fund this final effort of the Latino Vote 04 campaign. 151 SVREP committees registered 35,000+ new voters in a dramatic flurry that culminated in National Latino Voter Registration Weekend on October 1-3. The news reports showed long lines and frenzied activity as the deadlines for most states approached in Oct. 4 and Oct. 5. As of October 8, SVREP has signed up 93,436 new voters. SVREP is closing 113 voter registration campaigns in 11 states and converting some of them to get-out-the-vote drives. There are still 40 field and special projects active in 3 states (CA, UT, ID) that have later voter registration cut-off dates. SVREP will reach 100,000 registered voters within two weeks. Collectively Virginia, North Carolina, Nevada, Utah, Idaho and two special projects gathered four thousand additional registrations through fourteen SVREP projects. And these totals

SVREP volunteers registered 55,801 voters in seven battleground states, more than double its battleground states total in 2000 (23,601), and more than six-fold our battleground states total in 1996 (8,962). SVREP results for the top 10 counties State TX CA FL AZ FL NM TX TX TX CO WA

County Bexar Los Angeles* Miami-Dade Maricopa Broward Dona Ana Harris Dallas Travis Denver Yakima * still working

VR’s 7,091 6,810* 5,968 5,582 5,522 4,042 3,972 3,415 3,400 3,322 3,176

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Latino Vote Reporter

30th Anniversary SVREP Magazine to be Unveiled Are you confused or undecided about who and what to vote for in the upcoming November 2nd elections? The new Southwest Voter Registration Education Project's Latino Vote Magazine is for you. It won't be at the news stands, but you will be able to find SVREP's new magazine most anywhere Latinos are registered to vote. "We want Latinos to be informed voters. It is not enough to simply register our community to vote. We want Latinos to be armed with the information they need to make educated choices when they vote," said Antonio Gonzalez, President SVREP. Latino Vote will have an eight page voters guide as well as a Presidential Candidates voter guide. It will inform readers about referendums impacting Latinos in various states. Articles

featuring hotly contested races where Latinos might be elected as Senators will also be included. A special 30th Anniversary component written by Andy Hernandez, former Executive Director of SVREP will be an important element of the magazine. Readers will also be able to learn about SVREP's exciting new projects and initiatives. All in all, Latino Vote is a must have item for any Latino who is serious about exercising his/her right to vote.

Victor Lopez (continued from Page 1)

a New America", a fictitious political campaign designed to inspire and create awareness among the Latino youth in order to get them to the polls. It is the foundation of Fuerza Latina's voting awareness campaign for this and future elections. Fuerza Latina is a permanent media campaign that combines entertainment, pop culture and politics to express the urgency of voter education and registration. "The stakes are too high in this election to be invisible," said Antonio Gonzalez, President SVREP. "Latinos in this country must show up and be counted on Election Day. What better way to convey that message than to show the Latino community that one day there will be a Latino candidate for president. That day will never happen, however, unless we register and vote."

character suddenly lowers his head and when he looks up, standing on an empty stage concludes, "Victor Lopez does not exist. He never will unless you vote." "We have before us the opportunity to create a truly dynamic society," said Esai Morales. "All we have to do is pick up our heads, pay attention, stand up and be counted. By voting, we demonstrate our duty and rights to participate in the American dream."

The PSA campaign will initially be seen on select Telemundo, MTV, Mun2, ENTRAVISION and Si TV owned television Adds Mario Velasquez, former president of MTV's Rock the stations in both English and Spanish around the country. Vote and founder of Fuerza Latina, "Victor Lopez is a challenge Additional stations will be brought on. The PSA campaign will to all Latinos in America. We are the largest minority in the also include 4 radio spots in English and Spanish and will be United States yet our political numbers don't belie that strength. carried on various Spanish-language and English radio stations Victor Lopez is an inspirational character that says to Latinos, in select markets. our time will never come unless we vote. Now is that time." The broadcast spot begins with the presidential candidate's wife, Ana Maria (played by Tracy Reiner) looking on at a campaignstyle rally. To the cheering crowd, the presidential candidate urges his supporters, "don't be invisible, don't take America for granted. Get out there, vote. Make a difference…." Morales' © Southwest Voter Registration Education Project

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Latino Vote Reporter

Fund Appeal (continued from Page 1)

their hopes on swaying the Latino vote to their candidacies. Even Nader has gotten into the game by selecting a Latino VicePresidential candidate (Peter Camejo). But the importance of the Latino vote will evaporate if we don't go the extra mile to make sure enough resources are at SVREP's disposal to educate and turnout the new Latino voters that they have just registered. So over the next month we will be calling on you and fifty prominent Latino leaders to raise or donate $30,000 each to SVREP to fund its voter education/get-out-the-vote program. We are committing $30,000 each and challenge you to match us. Why $30,000 from prominent Latinos? Well, to make two statements: First, we honor the tradition and labor of SVREP in this its 30th year of existence. Second, as Latinos we want to demonstrate that we can fund our own political empowerment.

making its direct institutional goal of registering 175,000+ new Latino voters -and this does not count the registrations of all of SVREP's partners! Now SVREP needs our help to get the funds to turn out that vote, especially in key states like Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Florida, Nevada, Washington, and Antonio Gonzalez, SVREP's president has already done the Oregon. Our goal is to raise at least $1,000,000 from prominent job of raising millions to build-up Latino registration. By the Latinos like you. time you receive this letter SVREP will be well on the way to

SVREP Champions (continued from Page 4)

Corporation, Frank Quevedo, Vice President, Equal Opportunity, Southern California Edison, Ruben Bonilla, Partner, Bonilla and Associates, Honorable Pete Gallego, Chairman, Mexican American Legislative Caucus, and Art Ruiz, Director of Governmental Affairs, State Farm Insurance Companies. One of our founders us and/or SVREP President Antonio Gonzalez/SVREP Vice President Lydia Camarillo will be contacting you very soon.

Danny Villanueva, CEO, Bastion Capital,

Henry Cisneros, CEO, American City Vista

Honorable Pete Gallego, Chairman, Mexican American Legislative Caucus

Walter Ulloa, Chairman & CEO, Entravision

Art Ruiz, Director of Governmental Affairs, State Farm Insurance Companies

Ruben Bonilla, Partner, Bonilla and Associates

Frank Quevedo, Vice President, Equal Opportunity, Southern California Edison

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Latino Vote Reporter

Southw est V oter Registration Education Project Southwest Voter

Yes, count me in, I want to be part of SVREP CHAMPIONS For my donation I will receive one full page ad in SVREP’s 30th Anniversary GOTV magazine, credit in SVREP CHAMPIONS press releases, recognition in SVREP 2005 Latino Vote Event, recognition on SVREP’s Latino Vote Reporter and credit on our website www.SVREP.org. I will donate: $30,000 or

$___________ & mail it in by:

Sept. 16

Sept 30

Oct 15

Other_____

and/or I will raise: $30,000 or

$__________ & mail it in by:

Sept. 16

Sept 30

Oct 15

Other______

Please send a letter and response for to my potential donors, I will list them on the back.

My Contact Information (PLEASE PRINT) Name _____________________________________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________________________ City/State ___________________________________________________ Zip _____________________________ Phone# ________________________________________ Fax# ______________________________________ Email: _______________________________________________________________________________________

Donation Information My check enclosed for ___________ Please charge my credit card

(Made payable to SVREP) Visa

MasterCard

Card # Expiration Month __________Year_____________Signature_____________________________________________ Mail to: SVREP CHAMPIONS, 2914 North Main, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, California 90031 Fax to: (323) 343-9100. For faster service, call (323) 343-9299. TAX ID# 23-7380570 © Southwest Voter Registration Education Project

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Latino Vote Reporter

Latino Vote R epor ter Repor eporter Vol. IX, N o. 3 No. Fall - Winter 2004 COVER

SWITCHING TO GET-OUT-THE-VOTE URGENT FUND APPEAL WIN WITH

Southwest Voter Registration Education Project 2914 N. Main St Los Angeles, CA 90031

Non-Proft Org U.S. Postage

PAID Los Angeles, CA Pemit # 2696

5/CON 5 SE GANA

VICTOR LOPEZ FOR A NEW AMERICA

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WIN WITH 5 CONTINUED

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NATALIE MORALES AND CHRIS MATTHEWS TO HOST SVREP 30TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

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BECOME A SVREP CHAMPION

ADDRESS SERVICES REQUESTED

VOTER REGISTRATION CONTINUED

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30TH ANNIVERSARY SVREP MAGAZINE TO BE UNVEILED VICTOR LOPEZ CONTINUED

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GOTV HELP SVREP CHAMPIONS

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SVREP CHAMPIONS RESPONSE FORM

www.svrep.org

© Southwest Voter Registration Education Project