Local church helps parishioners register to vote

Sacred Heart church is hoping to push its parishioners along by helping them fill out the voter registration forms after Mass.

Historically hispanic voters don’t hit the polls as often as the national average. During and after last Monday’s presidential debate google searches for “registrarse para votar” register to vote in Spanish, spiked to the highest it’s ever been, New Mexico and Texas were among the top ten states where that search spiked.

Natural-born and naturalized citizens all lining up at the table to take part in democracy. Some hadn’t voted since 1996.

“I last voted when Clinton was re-elected,” said Maria Pitones, a parishioner who had just registered to vote after moving more than a decade ago.

For many these will be the first elections they get to vote in, from 83-year-olds to 17-year-olds who will be of age come November

“I actually wasn’t going to register to vote, but this is my country and it’s kinda my duty,” said Bryan Giron, who is still 17.

For some the duty is not only to vote themselves, but to get others to hit the polls.

“We’re doing our part to make sure that those who are citizens register to vote and actually vote come November 8,” said Fr. Rafael Garcia, who is organizing the efforts

You only have until October 11 if you haven’t done so yourself, you can pick up a Voter Registration Application at any post office, library, or high school and mail it in by the 11th

You can also click here to download the Voter Registration Application so you can print, fill it out, and mail it from home.

The Catholic Church does not endorse any party or candidate in these elections.