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Electoral threats are present just a few weeks before the presidential elections; many fear acts of violence at the polling stations, pressure from political groups when voting, or threats. Given this situation, we are working hard to ensure the safety of everyone before, during and after the elections.
With early voting already underway or about to begin in most states, the invitation is extended to cast a vote in the different modalities that are being offered so as to leave no excuses for citizen participation.
During a press conference held by Ethnic Media ServicesExperts urged people to vote without fear, as ethnic communities will be a key element in these elections.
Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters of the United States, explained the importance of voting: "When we choose leaders by voting, we are choosing people who will make important decisions for the community and the country."
He said that when people go out to vote, they are not only making decisions for that moment, as the impact of the vote will be reflected in future generations: "they are voting for their nephews, cousins and grandchildren who are about to grow up and all those who have not yet been born."
Stewart said it is essential to know who is financing the candidates, in order to have a better understanding and transparency of the candidate and the political goals he has in mind for his presidency.
It is important to mention that, if for any reason you have to change your address or personal information, it is extremely important to update them and follow up so that you do not miss the opportunity to vote.
You are invited to visit the website https://www.vote411.org/es to have the necessary information in this election process.
Andrew Garber, an advisor and program director for Voting Rights and Elections at the Brennan Center for Justice, explained that it is very difficult to invite the population to go out and vote, since fear has spread among communities that there will be acts of violence, however there are other ways to vote.
?Over the past 4 years, several states have passed laws; there are more than 160 laws that make it easier to vote. These new laws help at all stages of the voting process, such as automatic registration, among others.?
Garber mentioned the example of voting in New York, where anyone can vote by mail, a process that facilitates citizen participation.
Robert A. Pape, a professor of political science at the University of Chicago, said there has been an increase in violence and threats against election officials and officers for political purposes.
The population is interested in issues of political violence, unfortunately they like to consume information of this type, so many analyze and use these tools as part of political campaigns to favor certain candidates, he said.
He added that there are 15 million people who support violence against Trump and 42 million people who are not sure if they support violence against the Republican candidate. What is more worrying is that a large part of the US population has weapons and this could put peaceful solutions at risk.
Fortunately, citizens are not in favor of political violence, he explained, no matter which party or candidate they support.
"We want information to take a new direction and transform violence into action so people can go out and vote," said Robert A. Pape.
In response, organizations, governments, communities, officials and others are working together to ensure security in the upcoming elections, and we are urging people not to be carried away by hate speech and violence that instills fear in the free vote.
Let us remember that voting is everyone's right.
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