Mi Familia Vota

Introduction Mi Familia Vota is a national non-profit organization in the United States, dedicated to mobilizing Latino communities in civic engagement and advocacy. Its mission is to empower Latino voices in shaping policies that promote health, safety, and prosperity for Latino communities across the country.

History Established following significant social and political events, including the impactful Proposition 187 in California in 1994, Mi Familia Vota emerged as part of broader efforts to mobilize the Latino community. Initially, it was founded by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in 1998 as the Organization of Los Angeles Workers (OLAW), focusing on civic education, citizenship, and voter registration to expand the Latino voice.

In the years since its inception, Mi Familia Vota has grown to become a leading organization in promoting Latino political power nationally. Notable milestones include its role in pivotal elections and its expansion across multiple states.

Mission and Activities The organization's core mission is to unify the Latino community and their allies to promote social and economic justice through increased civic participation. Key activities include:

• Civic Engagement: Mi Familia Vota aims to expand the electorate through voter registration, citizenship campaigns, census education, and get-out-the-vote (GOTV) initiatives. It engages high school and college students in civic education and encourages legal permanent residents to become U.S. citizens.
• Community Advocacy: The organization builds alliances to advocate for policies affecting Latino communities, such as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants.
• Legal Action: Mi Familia Vota has been involved in legal battles to protect voting rights, including a landmark lawsuit against Arizona's voter registration requirements.

Impact and Achievements Mi Familia Vota has played a significant role in recent U.S. elections, contributing to record Latino voter turnout. In 2020, the organization was instrumental in mobilizing Latino voters in several key battleground states. Through its efforts, it has helped elect Latino leaders to local and state offices, including the first Latina U.S. Senator, Catherine Cortez Masto.

Structure and Operations Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Mi Familia Vota operates in ten states, focusing on year-round engagement with Latino communities. It uses innovative strategies, including AI-powered chatbots for voter outreach, to enhance civic participation.