News Releases

Ms. Perales Discusses the State of the Right to Vote After the 2012 Election

Litigation Settlement Prevents Sheriff Baca From Keeping Decades-Old Documents Under Wraps And Subject Only to In-Person Supervised Review

This November, we face a critical election, in which high levels of participation by Latino voters and their allies everywhere can send a powerful message about the importance of the Latino community and its policy views. Even where there may not be large numbers of Latino voters, we must nonetheless speak out in support of the civil rights principles that we champion. While the hard-fought presidential election has received most of the media and public attention, the importance of the 2012 General Election also lies in critical congressional and legislative races, as well as in important policy measures on the ballot in many states. Today, MALDEF releases its recommended positions on two statewide legislative referendum measures in the Montana general election. MALDEF makes these recommendations because we understand the disproportionate and discriminatory effect of some measures that on their face do not mention race or ethnicity, and because we understand the high costs of litigation challenging unconstitutional laws. I hope that the position endorsements and brief explanations below help you to decide how to vote on these ballot questions. But, however you decide, what is most important is that every eligible voter take the time to decide, and VOTE. Thank you.

ENGLISH VERSION AVAILABLE BELOW

This November, we face a critical election, in which high levels of participation by Latino voters and their allies everywhere can send a powerful message about the importance of the Latino community and its policy views. While the hard-fought presidential election has received most of the media and public attention, the importance of the 2012 General Election also lies in critical congressional and legislative races, as well as in important policy measures on the ballot in many states. Today, MALDEF releases its recommended position on one statewide ballot proposition in the Oklahoma general election. Important issues of policy in key areas will be determined by Oklahoma voters on November 6. MALDEF makes a recommendation with respect to one of the Oklahoma measures because we have seen the terrible effect on civil rights of similar measures in other states. I hope that the position endorsement and brief explanation below help you to decide how to vote on this measure. But, however you decide, what is most important is that every eligible voter take the time to decide, and VOTE. Thank you.

This November, we face a critical election, in which high levels of participation by Latino voters and their allies everywhere can send a powerful message about the importance of the Latino community and its policy views. Even where there may not be large numbers of Latino voters, we must nonetheless speak out in support of the civil rights principles that we champion. While the hard-fought presidential election has received most of the media and public attention, the importance of the 2012 General Election also lies in critical congressional and legislative races, as well as in important policy measures on the ballot in many states. Today, MALDEF releases its recommended position on one statewide ballot question in the Maine general election. MALDEF makes this recommendation because we have seen the importance of eliminating irrational and invidious discrimination whatever the basis. I hope that the position endorsement and brief explanation below help you to decide how to vote on this ballot question. But, however you decide, what is most important is that every eligible voter take the time to decide, and VOTE. Thank you.

While the referendum developed long ago as a “progressive” reform, it is too often used by those who oppose progressive legal change to challenge positive measures adopted by the legislature. This November 6, Washington voters face just such a referendum in Referendum 74, which challenges a law that promotes inclusion and civil rights. Even though the measure was placed on the ballot by those opposed to the progressive law, voters must vote to “APPROVE” the measure in order to preserve the progressive law. Because this measure is important to civil rights in Washington, MALDEF recommends a vote to “APPROVE” Referendum 74, as explained below. I hope that this position endorsement and brief explanation help you to decide how to vote on this measure. But, however you decide, what is most important is that every eligible voter take the time to decide, and VOTE. Thank you.

While generally categorized as a progressive reform procedure, too often the referendum is used by those who oppose progressive legal change to challenge positive measures adopted by a legislature. This November 6, Maryland voters face two such referendum measures challenging laws that promote inclusion and civil rights. Even though the measures were placed on the ballot by those opposed to the laws, voters must vote “FOR” the measure in order to preserve these progressive laws. Because these measures are critical to civil rights in Maryland, MALDEF recommends votes “FOR” Questions 4 and 6, as explained below. I hope that the position endorsements and brief explanations set forth below help you in deciding how to vote on these two ballot measures. But, however you decide, what is most important is that every eligible voter take the time to decide and VOTE. Thank you.

This November, we face a critical election, in which high levels of participation by Latino voters everywhere can send a powerful message about the importance of the Latino community and its policy views. While the hard-fought presidential election has received most of the media and public attention, the importance of the 2012 General Election also lies in critical congressional and legislative races, as well as in important policy measures on the ballot in many states. Today, MALDEF releases its recommended positions on the statewide ballot propositions in the California general election. With eleven measures on the ballot, significant issues of policy in many different areas will be determined by California voters in a few weeks. MALDEF makes recommendations with respect to nine of those measures. I hope that the position endorsements and brief explanations set forth below help you in deciding how to vote on these measures. But, however you decide, what is most important is that every eligible voter take the time to decide and VOTE. Thank you.