WASHINGTON, D.C. — One month out from midterm elections, while this administration tries to prevent eligible people from voting and touts cruelty-first policies that harm our communities, naturalized citizens, children of immigrants, and all voters committed to change are making their voices heard by voting early. Voters of every persuasion are heading to the polls, including those who are seeing firsthand the damage of government overreach and the relentless targeting of immigrant communities, including recent pushes for inhumane third-country deportations.
As the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA), a multi-ethnic, multiracial coalition of over 76 of the nation’s largest immigrant and refugee rights organizations, we encourage all eligible voters to have a plan, check their registration, and fulfill their civic responsibilities by voting early.
Said Nicole Melaku, NPNA executive director, “Threats meant to intimidate voters—especially first-time voters, Black and Brown voters, naturalized voters—should be taken seriously. But we will not be intimidated. We will show up. We will vote for leaders who reflect our values. And we will ensure full civic participation of naturalized citizens, their loved ones, and all our communities. As early voting begins, all eligible voters should make a plan, check their registration, and let their priorities shine confidently in the ballot box—as is our distinct American right.”
Said Danae Kovac, executive director of the HANA Center, an NPNA member in Illinois, “Early voting is already underway in Illinois, and HANA Center is urging every voter to make their voting plan now. Every election, HANA Center supports Chicagoland voters to find their polling places and vote by mail. With the Supreme Court reviving the SAVE data system, which has mistakenly flagged eligible citizens elsewhere, exercising our legal rights to vote is more important than ever. Voting early gives people time to confirm their registration, answer any questions, and cast their ballot with confidence. HANA Center will continue to provide Korean language access and support so no Illinois voter is shut out.”
Said Lisa Sherman Luna, Executive Director of Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC), “Most of us who call Tennessee our home believe it should be a place where voters have the freedom to pick our leaders and to have a say in the decisions that impact our lives. And it’s not surprising to us that there are barriers in place such as a whole month between the deadline to register to vote and Election Day because some in power want to keep eligible Tennesseans from voting so they can control our elections. When lawmakers enact policies that weaken the voices of Tennesseans they are not serving voters. They are stealing our power and insulating themselves from accountability. This is why it’s imperative everyone ensure they are registered to vote TODAY And make a plan to vote early ahead of the November 3rd election. Our home is worth fighting for and together, we can decide our future, choose our leaders, and ensure that Tennessee works for all of us–no exceptions.”
Said Jona Hilario, co-director, Ohio campaign partner, OPAWL, “Today is the voter registration deadline for Ohio voters. While we know that voting is just one way for us to make our values real in the world, our voices in this democratic process are important for our communities’ needs to be addressed. We will not stand quietly as barriers and intimidation tactics attempt to disenfranchise Ohio voters, including naturalized citizens. OPAWL—Building AAPI Feminist Leadership will be talking to our communities here in Ohio to educate them about their voting rights and provide them with all the practical information they need to create a voting plan that works for them. We have Ohio voting information available in eight Asian languages on our website. We are also making sure they know what’s at stake for us this election. We take care of each other, and that includes protecting our communities’ ability to create change through the ballot box.”
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The National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) is a multi-ethnic, multiracial coalition of over 76 of the nation’s largest immigrant and refugee rights organizations with reach across over 40 states. Together with our members, we advance immigrant and refugee equity and inclusion, build and expand immigration legal services and integration programming capacity, and drive campaigns that strengthen democracy through increased civic participation. See our website for more information at partnershipfornewamericans.org.