About Democracia U.S.A.
Democracia U.S.A. is a national non-partisan Hispanic civic engagement program that seeks to increase the prominence and participation of Hispanics in the American democratic process through Empowerment, Leadership Training, and Civic Participation.
In 2004, People For the American Way Foundation, in collaboration with the Center for Immigrant Democracy, launched a non-partisan Hispanic voter registration project (now Democracia U.S.A) that became the most successful project of its kind in Florida and among the most recognized in the entire country. With an initial goal of 50,000 new Hispanic voters, Democracia U.S.A. ultimately registered 72,000. Democracia U.S.A. also established key relationships with major media outlets throughout Florida and developed widespread name recognition among Florida's Hispanic constituencies.
After the 2004 election, Democracia U.S.A. recognized that while voter registration is an important first step toward greater Hispanic participation in the American political process, it was just not enough. Hispanics want more as they grow politically, economically and socially, and are in need of an organization that can satisfy their appetite for information and engagement at the grassroots level. Hispanics want a group that can educate them about the American political process and show them how to become effective leaders within it. So, out of this need for greater civic guidance, Democracia U.S.A.’s scope was broadened.
Democracia U.S.A. empowers Hispanics by increasing their participation in the electoral process and registering them as voters, educating them in a non-partisan way about important issues at stake and motivating them to vote on Election Day. Democracia U.S.A. develops Hispanic leaders across America by teaching important leadership skills that they can use to champion causes and issues for the benefit of their respective communities. And, Democracia U.S.A. promotes greater civic participation by educating Hispanics about the American political process and encouraging them to participate within it as a means of improving their quality of life.
Beginning in 2006, Democracia U.S.A. will have a permanent presence in Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Arizona.
Our Mission
Voter Empowerment — Democracia U.S.A. empowers Hispanics in their communities by encouraging involvement in the electoral process. Democracia U.S.A. registers voters, educates them on public issues at stake for their communities, mobilizes them to turn out on Election Day, and conducts non-partisan Election Protection activities to ensure that their votes are counted.
Leadership Training — Democracia U.S.A. develops Hispanic leaders with deep roots in their communities by teaching important leadership skills through workshops and on-the-ground training. These skills allow Hispanics to work proactively to champion causes and issues for the benefit of their respective communities.
Civic Engagement — Democracia U.S.A. promotes greater, sustained civic engagement by working beyond the electoral cycles to keep Hispanics engaged and educated on issues and the American political process. Democracia U.S.A. shows Hispanics how participation within that process helps them improve their communities and the quality of life for their families.
Our Communities
Democracia U.S.A.’s success in 2004 laid a strong foundation for the project. to grow to other states in 2006. Democracia U.S.A. is expanding into Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Arizona in addition to reestablishing an office in Central Florida and reinforcing its South Florida operation.
- Pennsylvania is ripe for upcoming Hispanic political participation with an established Puerto Rican community and emerging Mexican immigrant community. Interest in the democratic process can be felt in the area during the electoral cycles. Democracia U.S.A. estimates that approximately 84,000 Hispanics are eligible to be registered voters in Pennsylvania.
- Florida's Hispanic population in the Central part of the state continues to grow in numbers but not political prominence. In Osceola County, for example, there are no Hispanic elected officials despite being a third of the county's population. During 2006, two Federal lawsuits were brought by Hispanics seeking district elections for the city and county commissions. In addition to these challenges at the ballot box, an active KKK chapter operates in Osceola. Democracia U.S.A. has already registered 17,508 new voters in Central Florida and looks to have even greater success with the nearly 100,000 eligible Hispanics.
- South Florida has the largest Hispanic population in Florida and enjoys a rich political history for Hispanics and offers them a well established political infrastructure that includes significant elected Hispanic leadership at the local, state and federal level. Democracia U.S.A. estimates that approximately 321,000 Hispanics are eligible to be registered in South Florida. This dynamic makes South Florida a natural base for Democracia U.S.A.'s operation.
- New Jersey's Latino population has historically been mostly Puerto Rican and, like many settled communities in the Northeast, is growing and diversifying with the addition of newly arrived Dominicans, Mexicans, and other immigrants. Due to this dynamic combination of an emerging immigrant community and a civically engaged Puerto Rican community, Democracia U.S.A. plans to expand its operation to New Jersey. Democracia U.S.A. estimates that approximately 145,000 Hispanics are eligible to be registered in New Jersey.
- Arizona is seemingly losing ground in the fight for immigrant rights and protections. The anti-immigrant sentiment is palpable throughout the community and government. With no ongoing field infrastructure to counteract it, Democracia U.S.A. can help fill that void by working with the local leadership to empower the community; through education, civic engagement, and leadership training. Democracia U.S.A. estimates that there are approximately 275,000 Hispanics available to be registered.
- Nevada has a very diverse Hispanic population, with a mixture of Mexican, Central and South American and Caribbean Hispanic immigrants. As a result, there is a growing population of new immigrants as well as first and second generation Hispanics. Latinos account for 24% of Nevada’s population and 12% of the electorate. Nevada’s caucus was moved up during the Presidential election season in large part to include the Hispanic population in having a voice in selecting this year’s Presidential nominees. Democracia USA estimates that approximately 187,000 Hispanics are eligible to be registered to vote in the state of Nevada, primarily in the Las Vegas and Reno metropolitan areas.
