Community leaders try to gather new voters

Jesus Monreal, who was just sworn in as an American citizen, is now a registered voter thanks to the outreach of local leaders like Maribel Padilla and Marlene Thomas.

Monreal said the right to make his voice heard was the reason he decided to become an American citizen.

“And I think I passed this opportunity for a long time. And I believe that if you vote things are going to change,” said Monreal.

Monreal said Padilla made it simple for him to register.

“Sometimes we procrastinate the registration and stuff like that. And they’re giving you the opportunity. They’re pretty much doing it for you,” Monreal said.

Padilla added that newly registered voters want to fight for issues that matter to them.

“That’s why they’re becoming citizens. They want to be able to make a change. And so that’s what we’re doing. We’re giving them an opportunity to fill out the registration form and let them know the process,” said Padilla.

Community leader Marlene Thomas said it’s vital that everyone does their part to vote in the upcoming election.

“We have to get out and educated and inform our people the importance of voting. Right now it’s more than a right, it’s a necessity. For our survival as a community and a nation,” said Thomas.