Southwest Voter Registration Education Project: Difference between revisions

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| mission ={{lang-es|Su Voto Es Su Voz}} (Your Vote is Your Voice)
| mission ={{lang-es|Su Voto Es Su Voz}} (Your Vote is Your Voice)
}}
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The '''Southwest Voter Registration Education Project''' (SVREP), founded in 1974, is the largest and oldest non-partisan [[Latino]] voter participation organization in the [[United States]]. <ref>http://www.svrep.org/aboutsvrep/ag_bio.html</ref> It was SVREP was founded by [[William C. Velasquez]] and other [[Mexican-American]] political activists to ensure the voting rights of Mexican-Americans in the Southwest<ref>http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/SS/wcs1.html</ref>
The '''Southwest Voter Registration Education Project''' (SVREP), founded in 1984, is the largest and oldest non-partisan [[Latino]] voter participation organization in the [[United States]]. <ref>http://www.svrep.org/aboutsvrep/ag_bio.html</ref> It was SVREP was founded by [[William C. Velasquez]] and other [[Mexican-American]] political activists to ensure the voting rights of Mexican-Americans in the Southwest<ref>http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/SS/wcs1.html</ref>
==History==
==History==
{{Expand-section|date=March 2009}}
{{Expand-section|date=March 2009}}
The ''Southwest Voter Research Institute'' was established in 1984 to seek the opinions of the Latino electorate and to publicize those findings. In 1997, the Southwest Voter Research Institute was changed to the ''William C. Velasquez Institute'' (WCVI) as a way to honor and perpetuate Velasquez' vision and legacy.<ref>http://www.wcvi.org/</ref>
The ''Southwest Voter Research Institute'' was established in 1984 to seek the opinions of the Latino electorate and to publicize those findings. In 1997, the Southwest Voter Research Institute was changed to the ''William C. Velasquez Institute'' (WCVI) as a way to honor and perpetuate Velasquez' vision and legacy.<ref>http://www.wcvi.org/</ref>

The mission of SVREP is to, “Empower Latinos and other minorities by increasing their participation in the American democratic process. SVREP accomplishes this by strengthening the capacity, experience and skills of Latino leaders, networks, and organizations through programs that consistently train, organize, finance, development, expand and mobilize Latino leaders and voters around an agenda that reflects their values. Thus, SVREP's motto is: "Su Voto Es Su Voz" (Your Vote is Your Voice).” “Willy” as he was known to his colleagues imagined a society that would allow Latinos to actively participate and lead in the democratic process.

SVREP sponsors Get Out the Vote Drives across the country to register, educate, and promote voting in upcoming elections. SVREP also organizes mass phone drives to remind people of upcoming election dates and assists in locating their local voting station. They also lobby local, state, and national government to raise awareness and support for minority focused issues.

Another key initiative that SVREP sponsors is their Latino Academy. This academy prepares and educates individuals on public speaking, governance, and political activism; once participants have completed the training tracts they are eligible to act as project coordinators, treasurers, and chairs for a voter registration project in their community. Through the program individuals are exposed to grassroots organizing and voter registration and mobilization. There are two participatory levels for individuals, one being centered on youth and one for experienced activists. SVREP also offers financial assistance to cover the cost of room, board, and training materials for those that cannot cover their own expenses.


This is relevant today because of the growing clout of Latino voters. <ref>http://www.allbusiness.com/government/elections-politics-campaigns-elections/5614289-1.html</ref>
This is relevant today because of the growing clout of Latino voters. <ref>http://www.allbusiness.com/government/elections-politics-campaigns-elections/5614289-1.html</ref>

Revision as of 14:14, 14 December 2010

Southwest Voter Registration Education Project
Area served
voter rights
Key people
Antonio Gonzalez, President
Websitehttp://www.svrep.org

The Southwest Voter Registration Education Project (SVREP), founded in 1984, is the largest and oldest non-partisan Latino voter participation organization in the United States. [1] It was SVREP was founded by William C. Velasquez and other Mexican-American political activists to ensure the voting rights of Mexican-Americans in the Southwest[2]

History

The Southwest Voter Research Institute was established in 1984 to seek the opinions of the Latino electorate and to publicize those findings. In 1997, the Southwest Voter Research Institute was changed to the William C. Velasquez Institute (WCVI) as a way to honor and perpetuate Velasquez' vision and legacy.[3]

The mission of SVREP is to, “Empower Latinos and other minorities by increasing their participation in the American democratic process. SVREP accomplishes this by strengthening the capacity, experience and skills of Latino leaders, networks, and organizations through programs that consistently train, organize, finance, development, expand and mobilize Latino leaders and voters around an agenda that reflects their values. Thus, SVREP's motto is: "Su Voto Es Su Voz" (Your Vote is Your Voice).” “Willy” as he was known to his colleagues imagined a society that would allow Latinos to actively participate and lead in the democratic process.

SVREP sponsors Get Out the Vote Drives across the country to register, educate, and promote voting in upcoming elections. SVREP also organizes mass phone drives to remind people of upcoming election dates and assists in locating their local voting station. They also lobby local, state, and national government to raise awareness and support for minority focused issues.

Another key initiative that SVREP sponsors is their Latino Academy. This academy prepares and educates individuals on public speaking, governance, and political activism; once participants have completed the training tracts they are eligible to act as project coordinators, treasurers, and chairs for a voter registration project in their community. Through the program individuals are exposed to grassroots organizing and voter registration and mobilization. There are two participatory levels for individuals, one being centered on youth and one for experienced activists. SVREP also offers financial assistance to cover the cost of room, board, and training materials for those that cannot cover their own expenses.

This is relevant today because of the growing clout of Latino voters. [4]

See also

External links

References