By Christina Fernández-Morrow, Hola Iowa
As Iowa gears up for the upcoming presidential elections, a new wave of Latino voters is emerging across its cornfields and communities. From recent high school graduates to newly naturalized citizens, these electoral newcomers understand their role where their vote can tip the scales.
For the first time in her life, 18-year-old Iowa-born Valeria Paz Garcia is paying closer attention to politics. Meanwhile, Sonia Reyes, a native of El Salvador who took her oath of citizenship in June after nearly two decades of completing the process, analyzes candidate profiles with the intensity of a seasoned political analyst. These two Iowans, distinct by age and background, share a common thread – they represent the newest voters in one of the most consequential votes in recent history.
In a dorm room in Pella, 18-year-old Vittorio Luchi ponders voting in his new state, after participating in local elections in Arizona. “I voted for my hometown mayor, but to be honest I wasn’t really educated on the candidates,” says Luchi. “With Kamala Harris being nominated, I want to see how she cares for the people. I’d rather have someone who cares about how the people are feeling and handling everything that’s happening now, versus someone who only cares about the economy.” Paz Garcia is also concerned about human rights issues, basing her vote on what impacts women. “I’m looking at which candidate offers me more opportunities, and which opportunities will be taken away.” In her home office, Reyes, studies Harris’ record, looking at how she is positioning herself in swing states. “Not all members of marginalized communities have the best interest in mind for other members of their community. Not all BIPOC candidates support BIPOC communities,” she points out after twenty years working in human services with Black and Brown people across Iowa. These three Iowans, despite their various paths to the ballot box, share a common destiny – they’ll cast their first votes in the upcoming presidential election, shaping the course of the nation’s future based on their diverse tapestry of hopes, concerns, and perspectives that will reshape the political landscape. With the announcement of the new Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, Latine voters are excited but cautious.
Reyes sites immigrant and LGBTQ rights, military funding for war and genocide, and healthcare as the areas she is most concerned about. “I’m voting for the candidate who has concrete plans to address this.” Erika Macias, who covers a lot of political events as part of her role as co-owner of a media company and became a citizen in 2023, is excited to see change. “Before, I felt disengaged and uncertain about participating in the electoral process. However, Kamala Harris’s candidacy for president has reinvigorated my interest. Her nomination has motivated me to act, and I’ve already registered to vote. I’m more eager now, recognizing my potential to make history electing Harris.” Reyes isn’t so sure either candidate will create the changes needed to help the most vulnerable populations. “We don’t have good candidates at this time. As always, it seems like it will be the lesser of two evils. Both are detrimental to foreign policy.”
Young Latinas see it a bit differently. Kayla Cruz, a new voter since turning 18 in December, is excited to see a woman of color on the ballot. “I truly was not looking forward to voting for a candidate in November and was even considering not voting. The moment Kamala Harris decided to run for president gave me hope for this election. As a Mexican American woman, seeing a woman run for president as a person of color changes my perspective.”
Dante Trinidad age 18, a college student from Des Moines, wonders how the candidates will address the issues he cares about most. “The economy has always been a prime concern to me,” he shares. “Especially since it hasn’t been the greatest in the past couple of years. I am also very focused on how each candidate will focus on climate, as I would like to have my future children not fear or worry about this.” His concerns reflects a growing trend among young Iowa voters, many of whom view environmental issues through the lens of the state’s agricultural history that has been largely sustained by Latines in recent years.
Paz Garcia, Luchi, Reyes, Macias, Trinidad and thousands of other new Latine voters’ diverse perspectives can reshape Iowa’s political landscape and, by extension, influence the national conversation, and they know the value of their voice. “The best way to describe it for me is like being on the sidelines ever since I was a kid, and now I finally get the opportunity to get in the game; to be a part of our democracy on a bigger scale,” expresses Trinidad. Cruz, who was an active volunteer for the Clinton campaign even before she could vote, shares his excitement. “After years keeping up with the presidential candidates and elections, I am looking forward to taking a bigger step with my generation and it is our moment to decide what our country needs.”
A new commander-in-chief isn’t the only thing on the 2024 ballot in November. House and Senate seats are up for election, and some cities, like Tiffin and Solon will be voting for a new mayor. Several cities will be voting for council seats. For a first-time voter, these options can be overwhelming, but websites like www.vote411.org, www.independentvoterproject.org, and https://sos.iowa.gov/ offer links and information to help new voters get registered and be informed about the process. Local organizations like the Latino Political Network offer resources on their website, https://www.lpniowa.com/ to ensure new citizens are informed and empowered to participate in the political process.
For all voters there are some important dates to note for the 2024 elections:
- Monday, Oct. 21: Voter preregistration deadline
- Monday, Oct. 21: Last day to request an absentee ballot by mail
- Monday, Nov. 4: Last day to vote an in-person absentee ballot
- Tuesday, Nov. 5: General election
As campaign signs start popping up across Iowa’s cornfields and the Latine community buzzes with political discussions and debates, one thing is undeniable: the Hawkeye State’s newest voters will leave their mark on American democracy, and possibly make history.