Margarita Mazyck: Understanding the Political Apathy Among Hispanic Voters in America

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Margarita Mazyck, a voter registration field director for Pennsylvania’s branch of CASA, understands the political apathy that many Latinos face. Mazyck, who once grappled with her own political apathy, believes that breaking the mentality of “my vote doesn’t count” is crucial to breaking the chain of political disengagement. CASA, an advocacy organization that lobbies for undocumented workers in America, is one of several groups working to shape the future of the country through voter registration.

However, activists like Mazyck face various challenges, including distrust, language barriers, and misconceptions of the U.S. political system. Census Bureau statistics from November 2022 reflect these challenges. While 63% of America’s 255 million voting-age residents were registered to vote, only 41% of the 44 million voting-age Hispanic residents identified as registered voters. In comparison, 72% of white residents, 60% of Black residents, and 44% of Asian-American residents were registered to vote. The participation figures were even more stark, with just 27% of all age-eligible Hispanic residents casting a ballot in the most recent midterms.

In Pennsylvania, the numbers are similar. Only 42% of the state’s 653,000 voting-age Hispanic residents were registered to vote, and just 30% of those registered voters actually voted in 2022. This body of potential voters could significantly sway a close election, as demonstrated by the narrow margin between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in 2020.

Trish Crouse, an adjunct instructor of political science, emphasizes that the primary issue for many Latinos tends to be the economy. However, some voters in these communities feel that none of the candidates speak for them, leading to political disengagement. Crouse believes that politicians need to make a better effort to reach out to these voters and address their concerns.

Activists like Jasmin Frias, a ground canvassing coordinator for CASA, encounter this disinterest and mistrust from the Latino community on a regular basis. Frias finds it heartbreaking that many community members don’t believe in the system and feel that their voices and votes don’t matter. Monica Luna-Urban, a Columbia native who recently obtained her citizenship and voter registration, believes that Latinos had a significant impact on the 2022 midterms in Pennsylvania. She emphasizes that the Latino community has power and should be taken into consideration.

The article also highlights different political leanings within the Latino community. Some Latinos rally behind more conservative causes, while others feel used for their votes and then forgotten after elections. The issue of immigration reform is important to many Latinos, who believe they contribute a lot to the country and should be taken into consideration. However, conservative Latinos are also concerned about issues such as gender identity being taught in schools, leading them to become politically active.

The Pennsylvania political class is starting to pay more attention to Latino residents and their effects on elections. Lawmakers have held meetings with Latinos to hear their concerns about education, mental health services, criminal record expungement, and violence in their communities. However, there is still a disconnect between politicians and Latino voters, and more efforts are needed to engage and address their specific concerns.

Overall, Margarita Mazyck and other activists are working hard to overcome the challenges of political apathy among Latinos. They believe that breaking the mentality of “my vote doesn’t count” is crucial to empowering the Latino community and shaping the future of the country through voter registration and engagement..