OneAmerica electoral campaign
empowers immigrant voters
New citizens a critical 2008 voting bloc
Contact: Naomi Ishisaka, Communications Director,
c: 206/853-3339 w: 206/723-2203 x217
SEATTLE - With the election just six days away, the leading immigrant advocacy organization OneAmerica is working aggressively to ensure all registered immigrant voters make their voices heard. Over the past 18 months, OneAmerica registered 26,000 new citizen voters and is now engaged in ensuring those new voters get out to vote. In just the past month, OneAmerica has mailed over 80,000 postcards, made over 17,000 calls, left 5,000 messages, and spoken
with more than 2,000 voters by phone and in person. This effort will continue over the next six days with the final get-out-the-vote push on Election Day. Upcoming activities include: - Phone banking
- Canvassing
- Driving voters to polls
- Language bank volunteers
- Poll watching
As the state saw in the 2004 governor's race, the margin of victory in an election can be minuscule. The immigrant vote could prove
decisive in close races - such as the Governor's race and the Eighth Congressional District race. With immigrant voters comprising 7 percent of the Washington state electorate, their numbers far exceed many margins of victory.
Yet as more immigrant voters take part in the electoral process, OneAmerica will be vigilant to ensure voters are not disenfranchised. To protect against disenfranchisement of immigrant voters, OneAmerica will be stationed outside of polling places to provide assistance to voters who may encounter problems at the polls. For those without transportation, OneAmerica will drive voters to the polls.
As language is often an obstacle for voters, OneAmerica is compiling a language bank to help serve the needs of voters with language barriers.
OneAmerica will have many media opportunities available as well as several experts on immigrant electoral mobilization available for interviews, including:
Pramila Jayapal, Executive Director
Abdullahi Jama, Senior Organizer, works with Somali voters
Ramsey El-Moslimany, dedicated GOTV volunteer
Other voters and volunteers available by request.
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Immigrant voters pivotal in 2008
Immigrant voters will have
an unprecedented impact on the 2008 elections.
In this historic election year, turnout of immigrant
voters is expected to break all records.
This is based on the surge of citizenship applications last year (1.4
million), high voter turnout during the primaries, and the fact that the heated
immigration debate is motivating immigrant and ethnic communities like never
before. In Washington state, foreign born population is now 12 percent of the state and is also the fastest growing segment of the population.
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About OneAmerica
OneAmerica is committed to the vision of a unified nation with
justice for all. Our mission is to advance the fundamental principles
of democracy, justice, and human rights at the local, state and
national levels. We work with community partners and with partners
across the nation to protect and strengthen fundamental American rights
for all people-especially immigrants.
Please
join us and support our vision of America: a refuge from persecution,
the land of opportunity, the lifter of the lamp that lights the way to
freedom, liberty and justice for all.
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ELECTION MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
Photo, video and interview opportunities available
NOV. 1-2 -
Phone banking at OneAmerica (1227 S. Weller St., Seattle, WA 98144),
canvassing in South Seattle
NOV. 3 - OneAmerica taking vans to polling
places
NOV. 4 - ELECTION DAY - Poll watching at Yesler Terrace polling place, Rainier
Vista polling place, New Holly polling place
CONTACT:
Naomi Ishisaka
Communications Director
c: 206/853-3339
w: 206/723-2203 x217
Email
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