A sweet way to encourage voter registration

There is a new effort to increase voter turnout in El Paso County.

The nonprofit organization Paleta Power, or popcicle power, is handing out paletas throughout the county to those who register to vote on the spot.

Even if you engage in a conversation about the issues of the community, you can also get a paleta for free.

Voter turnout is as low as six percent in the county and volunteers hope to change that number.

State Senator Jose Rodriguez and County Commissioner David Stout are supporters of the organization.

Stout, who attended the organization’s launch Monday afternoon said the voter outreach is completely non-partisan.

“No talk about candidates, but there is talk about what’s important to people in the community.” Stout said.

Paleta Power will be out in the community and at upcoming local events to promote voter registration.

“It’s really important to try and engage voters in as many way as possible to try and understand why, why is there such apathy,” Stout said.

Paleta Power is still looking for more volunteers and working on more creative ways to get people to register to vote.