Poder Latinx
Founded in 2019, PoderLatinx is working to build “a sustained progressive voting bloc of Latinxs in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Texas and Washington.” It works to achieve this goal through year-round voter engagement work that is closely connected to issue campaigns around climate change, economic justice and immigrant justice. In the past two election cycles, it mounted large GOTV efforts in its target states.
Why This Work is Important
Latinos make up an ever-growing share of the U.S. electorate. In 2022, Latinos made up 14.3% of all eligible voters, nearly double their share in 2000. That trend is projected to continue in coming years. These Americans are significantly younger on average than the rest of the electorate.
Latinos make up a large share of eligible voters in key states and competitive congressional districts. Nearly a third of eligible voters in Texas are Latino, a quarter in Arizona and a fifth in Florida. Latinos also make up at least 15% of eligible voters in 18 of most competitive congressional districts in the U.S.
Latinos vote at lower levels than other groups. Many Latinos aren’t registered to vote and their turnout rates lag behind other groups — limiting their voice in civic life and in key policy debates that affect their communities. Higher levels of Latino voting could have dramatic effects on electoral and legislative outcomes.
Democrats need to shore up their support with Latino voters. While a strong majority of Latinos have voted Democratic in recent elections, that share has been slipping. Trump increased his support among Latinos by 9 points between 2016 and 2020, and this rightward shift continued between 2020 and 2022 in certain states and congressional districts.
Why Donors Should Consider Poder Latinx
Poder Latinx is building a record of impact. Since its founding in 2019, the organization reports that it has reached out to 4.2 million voters, knocked on more than 177,000 doors, and registered 59,000 voters.
Poder Latinx is nurturing young leaders. Poder Latinx’s fellowship program and legislative summits have worked to engage young people, particularly Latinas, through education and opportunities to lead. The organization also puts a strong focus on career development for all its staff.
Poder Latinx is organizing around key progressive priorities. Poder Lantix centers three main issues in its work: immigrant justice, as well as climate and economic justice. All these issues are framed in a way that connects to the lives of Latinos. Organizing in Latino communities around climate change is especially important, given the need to build a wider base of support for action in this area at a time when many voters still don’t see climate change as a top priority.
Conclusion
Poder Latinx is still a relative newcomer to the ranks of national progressive organizations working to build power in Latino communities. But it’s been quickly building a record of action and impact, and is especially focused on connecting with younger Latinos. While Poder Latinx is a 501(c)(4), its 501(c)(3) arm, the Poder Latinx Collective Fund, gives donors an option for supporting this group with a tax-deductible contribution.