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Record number of Latinos registered to vote

Posted at 5:45 PM, Nov 07, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-08 08:23:40-05

A record number of Latinos have registered to vote in several key states, including Arizona.

Activists with Promise Arizona said thanks to efforts made by many groups 150,000 Latinos have registered to vote in Arizona. That's a big increase from the previous election.

Volunteers went door to door up until the final hours before Election Day, encouraging people to show up to the polls.  

Organizer Rudy Lopez said he felt encouraged by early voting numbers among Latinos.

"We're confident that a good number of them are going to come out but also beyond that, we're looking for them to stay engaged in other ways," Lopez said.

Claudia Faudao was not eligible to vote yet, but she had logged hundreds of miles and knocked on dozens of doors to get other Latinos to vote.

"Maybe next time but they are my voice," Faudio said. She also said that she was excited to see their efforts were paying off.

The group carried a big statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe while traveling to different neighborhoods. The statue is a symbol of faith in the Latino community.

"She is here giving us faith and hope in these elections," Faudao said. "She is surrounded by American flags because we all love this country."

Lopez added that many Latinos were fired up by the rhetoric and talk of illegal immigration they had heard in this election cycle.

"We believe the immigrant vote is good for all of America," Lopez said. "Our mantra is faith, hope, vote. This election is not about candidates or parties. It's about your family."

Promise Arizona is one of many groups offering free rides to voters on Election Day. They had also set up a 24-hour hotline to answer questions or concerns Latino voters may have.

That number is 1-888-VE-y-VOTA.

You can also call their office at 602-288-3663. They plan to open at 5 a.m. on Tuesday.

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