Contact: Gabriela D. Lemus (202) 833-6130

For Immediate Release: September 13, 2000

Washington, DC-- The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) launched its "LULAC VOTER 2000" campaign today with an interactive grassroots organization program. The goal of "LULAC Voter 2000" is to help the community mobilize itself by providing practical advice for the Latino organizer and volunteers who find themselves in the trenches of the political process.

"LULAC Voter 2000 will serve as an information bank to provide basic strategies in neighborhood organizing," said Rick Dovalina, LULAC National President. "We will provide support for door-to-door barrio organizing, online registration, and an interactive online series of workshops to assist the grassroots in their efforts."

6.6 million Latinos are currently eligible to vote throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. While Latinos represent over 12 percent of the total U.S. population, they represent much higher numbers in five key states: CA, TX, FL, IL and NY. At the state and local levels, the impact will be particularly telling as demonstrated in the 1998 New York senatorial race when Charles Schumer beat incumbent Al D'Amato. The Latino vote was pivotal in shifting that electoral outcome.

Various national studies have indicated that the most important effort for the community is to drive out the vote using local organizations familiar to Latino families. The LULAC National website will be updated with general information on organizing and creating strategies for local voter registration drives.

"This election year is one of great expectation for Latinos and one that will dramatically transform the manner in which politics are interpreted in this country from now on," continued Dovalina. "We must embrace this critical opportunity to be heard through the American Democratic process."

To find out more about "LULAC Voter 2000," log on to www.lulac.org or call the LULAC National Office at 202/833-6130.

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization in the United States. LULAC advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health, and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide.