Latinos account for one in five registered voters in California, and growing. A recent poll by Preschool California and Univision found that nearly seven in 10 California Latino voters are more likely to support candidates whose agendas include making high-quality preschools and early learning more accessible and affordable.

"This poll demonstrates education is a top priority for Latino families in California as a pathway to opportunity, and early learning lays the foundation for that," said Catherine Akin, president of Preschool California. "Preschool and early learning are winning issues for candidates among Latino voters."

The poll, conducted by Hart Research Associates and The Tarrance Group, built on a RAND Corporation study that found only 14 percent of the state's Latino children are enrolled in high-quality preschool.

Participants in the more recent poll said a lack of affordable programs, schedules and a dearth of information were the main reasons their children are not in preschool programs that ensure success in school.

The growing Latino population will impact all residents - as today's Latino children under age 5 will account for more than half our workforce come 2025. Their success will be shared by all of us.

A little more than two years ago, First 5 LA researchers conducted a similar study, with nearly identical findings that Latina mothers value early education programs. Studies like that guided us as we set the goal that all children in Los Angeles County be ready for kindergarten - one of First 5 LA's four strategic goals countywide and in our Best Start communities.

If you are interested in early childhood education, I encourage you to get involved as we continue orientation and outreach events in our Best Start communities. (You can learn more about these events here.) And, of course, get out and vote. Your informed choices can help ensure that all young children in our communities have a chance at success.

Evelyn V. Martinez

Chief Executive Officer
First 5 LA

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