IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

At SXSW, Voting Groups Register Latino Millennials

<p>The largest-ever online voter registration campaign is launched at the festival.</p>
Voto Latino and MTV's Rock the Vote launched TrendUrVoice, an online voter registration campaign, at SXSW in Austin, Texas.
Voto Latino and MTV's Rock the Vote launched TrendUrVoice, an online voter registration campaign, at SXSW in Austin, Texas. Photo credit: Alberto Jimenez

As young people, many of them Latino, gathered at SXSW, two well-known voter registration groups launched a new campaign using the best-known tool to get Millennials involved - social media.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Rock the Vote in this unique effort to bring Latino Millennials into the democratic process,” said Maria Teresa Kumar, Voto Latino President and CEO, in announcing TrendUrVoice. The online voter registration campaign, organized by Voto Latino and Rock the Vote, uses a "hot or not" concept to urge young people to voice their opinions on topics such as immigration reform, student debt or marriage equality, as well as register to vote.

At SXSW in Austin, Texas, Voto Latino and Rock the Vote launched TrendUrVoice, an online voter registration campaign.
At SXSW in Austin, Texas, Voto Latino and Rock the Vote launched TrendUrVoice, an online voter registration campaign.Photo credit: Alberto Jimenez

Latino Millennials are the fastest-growing group of voters, and “they are often the gatekeepers to their families," said Kumar. "If we can encourage them to participate at the polls, chances are that they are influencing their parents to join them," stated Kumar, adding that 800,000 Latino Millennials turn 18 every year.

Voto Latino chairwoman and actress Rosario Dawson was out this weekend encouraging young people to sign up using the TrendUrVoice online tools.

Voto Latino chairwoman and actress Rosario Dawson, second from right in bottom row, helped launch TrendUrVoice, a new online voter registration campaign unveiled at SXSW in Austin, Texas. The campaign is being spearheaded by Voto Latino and Rock the Vote.
Voto Latino chairwoman and actress Rosario Dawson, second from right in bottom row, helped launch TrendUrVoice, a new online voter registration campaign unveiled at SXSW in Austin, Texas. The campaign is being spearheaded by Voto Latino and Rock the Vote.Photo credit: Alberto Jimenez / Voto Latino