Did you know that every year about 1.4 million Hispanics in the U.S. become eligible to vote? This statistic highlights the growing influence of Latinos in our nation’s democratic process. As an immigrant who has earned citizenship and embraced the American Dream, I am proud to be part of this growing Latino voter population.
Voting is more than a right; it’s the foundation of our democracy. It’s through voting that we, the American people, choose our elected officials to lead and make decisions that shape our communities and our nation. There is no question that the US electorate is becoming more diverse. However, demographic changes in the eligible voter population will take longer to appear in electoral trends. This is because White adults are more likely to be consistent voters than other racial or ethnic groups. If Latinos want to see their priorities reflected in their leaders, we need to get out and vote.
My name is Arhys Cruz Mora, and I’m the Government Relations Manager at Camino. We are a bilingual and multicultural nonprofit that primarily serves Charlotte’s Latino community, and today, I’m going to share valuable insights on how to effectively navigate North Carolina’s Primary and General elections to enhance your engagement as a US citizen.
Understanding North Carolina’s Political Landscape
This year is a big election year for North Carolina as it prepares for its primary election on March 5, 2024, followed by its general election on November 5. During the primary election, voters will select the candidates who will represent their respective parties in the general election. It’s important to understand that North Carolina uses a closed primary election, meaning voters can only participate in their party’s primary election.
Early voting (Feb. 15 – March 2) for North Carolina’s 2024 primary election has begun, officially kicking off the state’s election year. One of the perks of early voting is that you can both register and vote on the same day, without having to deal with election day lines. However, if you decide to wait until March 5, you must ensure you are already registered and cast your ballot at your assigned location between 6:30 am and 7:00 pm. Opting for early voting provides added flexibility for those who may have scheduling constraints.
*Remember that as of 2023, photo ID is required when voting in all North Carolina elections.
For voters who will be out of town during elections or unable to physically vote at a polling location, Absentee-By-Mail Voting is available. For the primary election, you may request a ballot until 5 p.m. on February 27, 2024.
If you missed the registration deadline, it’s never too late to register for next time. The General Election in November will be here before we know it! Register through the DMV’s website or by mailing a registration form to the NCSBE by October 11, 2024.
Who’s on the ballot?
Key positions on everyone’s ballot this year include:
- U.S. President
- U.S. House of Representatives
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Secretary of State
- State Auditor
- State Treasurer
- Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Attorney General
- Agriculture Commissioner
- Labor Commissioner
- Insurance Commissioner
- State Senator
- State Representative
- N.C. Supreme Court Justice
- N.C. Court of Appeals Judge
- Superior Court Judge
- District Court Judge
- District Attorney
- County Commissioner
- Clerk of Superior Court
- Register of Deeds
So what?
If you want to enhance your engagement as a US citizen, you need to vote because your vote matters. As a Latino, you may experience voter apathy, just like any other citizen. This is when people believe that their vote doesn’t really matter, which leads to a lack of care and participation in elections and politics.
As mentioned earlier, the voter population is changing, but voter participation is slow to catch up to these trends. You’ve probably heard some version of a lingering doubt in people’s heads: “why should I vote?” As Latinos and supporters of the Hispanic community, we should vote on behalf of all of those who can’t. We should vote on behalf of the parents that gave us the opportunity to seek a better life in the US. We should vote on behalf of the families we left behind under governments that failed because democracy lost its fight. Lastly, we should vote to uphold the democracy that we are privileged to be a part of and use our voice. So, seize the opportunity to shape your nation’s future by exercising your fundamental right to vote as a citizen.
Navigating elections can be overwhelming but there is plenty of public information available. If you have any questions about registering to vote, voting, or elections, feel free to reach out to Camino’s Government Relations Team (Tim Hagler, Chief Public Affairs Officer – Tim@camino.org; Arhys Cruz Mora, Government Relations Manager – arhys@camino.org).
