Civic Engagement


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The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) believes that Latinos in the United States have an important role in improving our nation’s future.  Part of that role includes increasing Hispanic participation in the political process by encouraging eligible applicants to become citizens, motivating citizens to register and vote, and creating a new generation of Latino leaders to educate voters about issues affecting Hispanics and to advocate for local, state, and national policies that will help build a strong Latino community and a stronger country.

NCLR assists those eligible to become citizens through a campaign called ya es hora ¡CIUDADANÍA! (Citizenship, It’s Time!) and through its Citizenship Assistance Program (CAP), which provides capacity-building grants to community-based organizations’ naturalization programs.  NCLR encourages voter registration and participation through another campaign called ya es hora ¡VE Y VOTA! (It’s Time, Go Vote!) and through its Latino Empowerment and Advocacy Project (LEAP). Finally, NCLR encourages all Latinos to be counted in the 2010 Census through a campaign called ya es hora ¡HÁGASE CONTAR! (It’s Time, Make Yourself Count!).

For more information on each phase, please visit:

With well-designed civic engagement programs targeting their clients, Latino service providers can play an important role in increasing Latino voter participation. 

Featured Publications

LEAP:  A Model for Increasing Latino Civic Participation

Engaging the Latino Electorate

Latino Voters in the 2010 Election:  Numbers, Parties, and Issues

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