P O L I T I C OS
The Latino factor By Matt Muñoz MÁS staff
T
his year’s big presidential election is looking like one big piñata. And as in years past, a question lingers in the shadows: Will the Latino vote, especially the youth vote, come out in force to break that piñata this election? Noticeably silent this year, even with a minority candidate, Barack Obama, as the Democratic presidential nominee, the Latino voice — often referred to as “the sleeping giant” to many political analysts — could finally awaken Nov. 4, tipping the political scales to help declare a winner. Both Obama and John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee have taken their campaigns across the U.S., courting various age groups with hopes of garnering their support. The Latino vote alone could provide the final swing. Elyse Rivas, 22, a part-time communication studies student at Bakersfield College is voting for the first time this election. “With the growing population of Latinos in America, I believe we have a chance to have a better voice in the U.S., but I think many Latinos are afraid and unfamiliar with the political process and how it could help them,” she said. Four years after reaching the legal age to vote, Rivas has reservations about each presidential candidate — and politics in general — but still plans on voting, she said. “There are more negative ads about each candidate,” Rivas said. “I think each candidate feels they have to attack each in order to get their points across. I’m basically turned off by too much politics. No one seems to be making a difference, and the economy is horrible — a lot of talk and no action.” Rivas’ opinion may be echoing popular sentiment among young voters, but for some, the election means new beginnings. Jennifer Beltran, 20, a student majoring in culinary arts at BC, is another first-time voter. Registered earlier in the year at a street voter drive in Bakersfield, Beltran — like Rivas — has become disenchanted with the present state of U.S. politics, but is holding out for change.
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October 24, 2008
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“I’ve been thinking — ‘Here we go again,’” she said. “Just like with the Kerry and Bush election in ‘04, it’s a tough choice. I’m kind of on Obama’s side, but I feel stuck between the two candidates again. They both sound so promising, but it’s like a high school election — you’re promised pizza every Friday, but PHOTO BY ORLANDO GALVAN when they’re in, it doesn’t Jennifer Beltran is a first-time voter. happen.” At work, Beltran sees her share of political propaganda from her busy drive-thru window at The Filling Station on F Street, where she serves up coffee to hundreds on a daily basis. “I interact with a lot of people,” she said. “Most are upset and split 50/50 on a lot of topics. I can hear a lot of people talking, and I see a lot of pro-McCain and Yes on 8 stickers.” Unlike her high school days, Beltran finally feels a duty to get involved as part of the new wave of enthusiastic, young voters. “I think it’s beneficial for people to know what their country is going through and what their leaders have going on,” she said. “I really like when young people, especially high school people, get passionate about what they believe in.” When it’s all said and done, Beltran looks forward to Election Day, no matter who wins. “I’m looking forward to change,” she said.
Did you know? %
54
Number of Bakersfield Hispanic adults (ages 18-24) registered to vote Source: Scarborough Research 2008