The Latino Vote on Super Tuesday, Does it Matter?

Aracely Panameño

Publicado 02/05/2008 - 4:46 a.m. ET

You bet! Forty-five percent of Latinos in the United States are part of the electorate in the top five states with the largest number of delegates up for grabs on Super Tuesday. In a few hours, the polls will open as twenty-four states, the American Samoa, and Democrats abroad cast their ballots to select the Presidential nominees for the Republican and Democratic Parties. Latinos live in every state in play and have a significant role in defining the direction for our country.

Prince William County Election Results

Here are the Virginia State Board of Elections Unofficial Results - Nov 6, 2007

Election Results

Many Thanks to All Our Volunteers!

From the moment I announced my candidacy for Supervisor in Prince William County, many members of our community rose to the occasion and answered the call to support and assist the campaign. We worked very hard over the past three weeks to send a message to local elected officials and the larger community. The citizenry’s vote should never be taken for granted. Latinos, people of immigrant ancestry, and their allies are a vibrant and politically active part of this community that is willing and able to work together for change. The 2007 election cycle marks the maturation of a people ready and capable to govern in Prince William County. Our time is inevitable and fast approaching.

I thank the hundreds of Neabsco residents who voted for me. You voted for common sense; you voted for change, new ideas, and new energy. You voted despite the fact that voting machines throughout the Neabsco District did not work properly. I also thank the many voters outside the Neabsco District who cast a ballot for me. There were many other voters who cast a ballot for other write-in candidates. This is a reflection of citizens’ dissatisfaction with candidate choices on the ballot.

Voters who did not vote for me simply did not know me. They may not even realize that they voted to increase their own tax rates more than necessary. Our local economy is in shambles. It will continue to deteriorate given the national economy and will be exacerbated by the many wrong decisions the PWC Board of Supervisors is making. The housing market will continue to unravel over the next 15 months, compounded by a tight credit market. Property values have dropped 20% and will continue to adjust downward, generating less revenue for our schools, health and public safety. Families who bought homes at the height of the housing bubble will continue to struggle to keep a roof over their heads. In the meantime, energy costs and other consumer goods prices will continue to go up. Over the next four years, ALL county residents will pay for the bad decisions of our elected local government.

As an organization, our commitment is to continue the work we started. Here are some of the major accomplishments over the period of two short weeks. We articulated a clear campaign message. We put together a political organization with representation from all sectors of our community. We raised funds from supporters. We maximized opportunities to disseminate our message via earned media in English and Spanish. We mobilized the grassroots. We produced and distributed materials, including 2,500 lawn signs.

We will be meeting to strategize for the future. Our work must not stop, and there is much for us to do. Next time, our name will be on the ballot. If you have meeting space suggestions, please contact me. As soon as we secure the meeting space and date, we will send you a message. So, please stay tuned.

There were many people working for the campaign; many I personally know; many I met along the way; and many I want to have the opportunity to meet. Those of you I have not met yet, you are pretty special people, please keep in touch. I could not have made it
without the support, advice, and hard work from everyone. My love and gratitude to all, especially to the following individuals, families, and donors:

The Incredible Team of Volunteers who distributed flyers and installed 2,500 lawn signs all over the Neabsco District, including some outside the district.

Rita Aguilar
German Anaya
Carlos Aragon
Rudy Arredondo
Pedro Aviles
Vilma Belen
George Brown
Ricardo Cabellos
Alice Cardona
Jim Carr
John Chamberlain
Tulio & Maureen Diaz
Eileen Diaz McConnell
Katherine Culliton
Gloria Feldt
Alphonso Gibbs
Jamie Goodson
Sonia Gutierrez
Pam Hampton
Francisco Henriquez
Alex Juarez
Ricardo Juarez
Jon Liss
Eduardo Lopez
Rafael Lopez
Nancy Lyall
Juan Mata
Bill Mehr
Nelson Merchan
Alexis Panameño
Omar Panameño
Tammy Panameño
Tely Panameño
Veronica Panameño
Manes Pierre
Luis & Denita Ramirez
Lisa Ransom
Andrew Rivera
Estuardo Rodriguez
Ricardo Sanchez
Carlos Soles
Tim Sandos
Doris Sorto
Steve Smith
John Steinbach
Erik Strangeways
Santiago Tavara
Walter Tejada
The Acebedos
The Currans
The Foersters
The Mays
The Taylors
Gustavo Torres
Ellias Ullah
Marta Urquilla and Jomo Graham
Rebecca Villalpando
Edwin Vizcardo

Hector, Yanira, Maribel, Marta Elena, and all of the wonderful people I did not have a chance to see on election day. The attorneys and observers who came.

Thanks to all the restaurant and business owners who supported us.

Thanks to all of you who prayed and kept us in your thoughts. Special thanks to the religious leaders who truly believe in our cause and acted on it.

Thanks to all the journalists who covered our story, especially to those who provided continuous coverage and who came out to Woodbridge and Dale City.

El Comercio, Univision and El Tiempo Latino were there to document the incompetence of our electoral systems, from the filing of candidacy to the failures of the voting machines at the polls.

CNN en Español
EFE
El Comercio
El Pregonero
El Tiempo Latino
Facetas
La Razon
La Voz de Ameria
Metro Latino USA
NPR’s Tell Me More
Radio Fiesta
Radio La Campeona
Radio Zol 99.1
Telemundo
The Potomac News
The Washington Post
Univision
Washington Hispanic
WTOP’s Mark My Words with Mark Plotkin

Apologies to all whose names I have forgotten to include. This was a major team effort. Without your support, we would not have achieved much.

Thanks to the faculty and my teams from John Hopkins University for their understanding and patience.

Finally, thanks to my employer, supervisors, and work colleagues, who allowed me to take time off from work to do what I believe in. Timing could not have been worse; yet, they did without me for these period of time.

Abrazos y besos to all,

Aracely

Panameno Campaign Celebration Tonight 7 pm

After the polls close in PWC, we’ll head over to El Rinconcito Restaurant to celebrate the success of the campaign, the great collective effort, and all our accomplishments. We’ll watch the election returns together. We’ll listen to music. And, we will declare victory!

Join us!

El Rinconcito Latino
4112 Dale Blvd, Woodbridge 22193
Contact Information: 703-580-1194

Important Info for Election Day Volunteers

A heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you who has volunteered your time and energy to this campaign. Truly, we could not have come this far without your support!

Today is Election Day and we’re relying on you to help us staff the polls and inform voters how to vote for Aracely Panameno as a “write-in” candidate.

Below is a checklist of materials and information you should have on hand with you. If you can, please bring extra copies.

• List of Neabsco District Voting Precincts
• Sample Ballot
• Write-in Voting Instructions
• Voter Empowerment Cards
• Voter Hotline Numbers

It’s raining out there, so bring an umbrella or two and dress warmly.

The sun is out, but it’s still cold out there! Nothing like voting under blue skies!

See you tonight at 7 pm at el Rinconcito Latino!

Volunteer to work the polls tomorrow!

If you have some time, come out to PWC and help out at the polls. Click here to sign up.

Listen to Aracely Panameno on NPR’s Tell Me More

Voters, Candidates Weigh Illegal Immigration in Virginia

Michel Martin, host of Tell Me More, visited Prince William County on Friday to talk with Aracely Panameno. Listen to the interview that aired today on NPR.

Voter Hotlines

What to do if you have problems voting in Virginia

ELECTION DAY HOTLINES

Virginia ACLU: 804-644-8080

Virginia NAACP: 804-321-5678

Call the hotlines IF:

• You or anyone you know has difficulties voting on November 6
• You observe another person encountering a problem while voting

Voter Empowerment Cards

The ACLU has issued these double-sided, pocket-sized “voter empowerment” cards to inform voters of their rights under Virginia law once they reach the polls.

English Cards

Spanish Cards

Sign up to volunteer at a Neabsco Voting Place on Nov 6!

Friends,

We NEED you to commit to volunteer at a precinct tomorrow, November 6. Polls open at 6 am and close at 7 pm. See below for precincts.

If you can sign up for a time slot (2-hour minimium) let us know. Ideal time slots are 6 - 9 am, 9 am - 12 pm, 12 - 3 pm, and 3 - 7 pm.

Call 202-361-2632 or 703-217-2228