voter registration Archives

Hispanic Heritage Promotes Democracy and Dignity

My Responsibility is to Help Build a Future Where We All Have a Share in the Decisions That Shape Our Destiny

Jonathan Alcantara
October 6, 2025

For Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15), NETWORK’s Sr. Carol Coston Fellows share their thoughts on the importance of this observance in the U.S. The following is Part 2 of a two-part reflection by Jonathan Alcantara of Marquette University. (Read Part 1.)

Jonathan Alcantara

In addition to undeniable economic and cultural contributions, the Latino community also participates powerfully in the democratic process. In particular, young Latinos are the fastest-growing demographic of voters, and our voices will shape the future elections. However, targeted voter suppression tactics like disinformation and misinformation, lack of access to absentee ballots, limited early voting, and bans on students using their school IDs at the polls continue to create barriers for young Latino voters.

So, over the past two years, I’ve served as a Sr. Carol Coston Fellow, working with other students and young adults in Wisconsin and across the country to foster a safe environment for civic engagement and support voter registration on our campuses. All of the meaningful conversations I’ve had with my peers on campus and with community leaders show and remind me that our democracy is stronger when we all participate and a lot weaker when we’re separated and pushed out.

Despite the inequalities, political tensions, and fearmongering, our lucha and resilience still define us. Across the nation this month, Latino communities are finding ways to gather and celebrate their heritage while navigating their fears. In cities like Chicago, Madison, and Appleton, Wisconsin, festivals celebrate with live music, dances, and traditional food. They also have workshops and representatives talking about healthcare, business inclusion, and professional leadership.

However, many events have scaled back and have even been postponed because of the possibility of immigration raids, but one thing’s for certain, seguimos unidos y en solidaridad, no matter the obstacles. Our culture is still alive not only in the happy moments but also in times when we must pivot, adapt, and continue showing up for one another through advocacy.

What ties all of this together is the set of values that go with the Latino community. We strongly believe in familia, dignidad, and oportunidad, which are values that anyone, regardless of their background and what they look like, can recognize as important. My Catholic faith reminds me that these are more than just cultural values; they are moral truths: that every person is made in the Imago Dei and deserves respect, freedom, and the chance to grow and thrive, no exceptions. In our faith, we say, cada persona es hijo de Dios, every person is a child of God. And that truth calls us to treat every person with the same dignity and respect.

Looking ahead, I see a hopeful future where our cultura is not only honored by others but fully integrated into the story of this country. A future where Latino students, like me, succeed in college without the barriers that are currently holding us back, where workers earn livable wages that match their contributions to our country, where families can live without the fear of leaving their house for five minutes, and where our voices are fully recognized in the public.

This vision is attainable, and this is why Hispanic Heritage Month matters. Is it about honoring culture? Yes. But it’s also about defending human dignity, expanding and growing economic opportunity, and strengthening our democracy. For me, Hispanic Heritage Month is both personal and shared. This month calls me to remember the resilience of those who came before me and to act with the knowledge of my responsibility for those who will come after me.

This month, I celebrate my heritage not only by remembering the past but by helping build a future where every family, Latino or not, can live, work, and thrive con fe, esperanza y orgullo, no exceptions.

Learn more about NETWORK’s Young Advocates Leadership Lab (Y.A.L.L).

How Do We Reach Gen Z as Engaged Citizens?

Shifting From Individualistic Appeals to Collective Empowerment Will Encourage Young Voters to View Voting as Relevant

Jackalope Labbe
October 3, 2025

Jackalope Labbe

Throughout my work in student engagement, I’ve noticed that Gen Z, despite being notoriously connected through social media and digital platforms, can be incredibly hard to reach when it comes time for civic engagement. When running my first voter registration drive at Elms College, this reality hit me hard. I found myself consistently connecting with potential voters on issues that were contentious in the upcoming election; however, when asked if they were going to vote, I was mostly told no.

What I kept hearing was “My vote doesn’t matter anyway.” Through this event, I saw a growing sense of disillusionment, sometimes described as “Gen Z doomerism,” which has led many young people to question whether casting a ballot makes a difference. This experience changed my approach: if we are to connect with young voters, we must reframe what voting means to them.

Too often, voting is described as an individual obligation. For a generation deeply aware of the power held by corporations, institutions, and political systems, the idea that one person’s ballot can alter the future feels unconvincing. We can change this by reshaping our messaging around voting to focus on its collective power. When more of Gen Z votes, our generation becomes recognized as a legitimate voting bloc, transforming voting from a solitary act into a demonstration of generational power.

In this context, casting a ballot is not merely “doing your part” but joining in solidarity to shape a shared future based on our generation’s needs. When politicians notice that our generation has the power to elect them to or oust them from office, they also notice the issues that matter most to us. Individuals do have power in our electoral system, but our current language leaves Gen Z feeling isolated in their journey to the voting booth. Breaking down this barrier requires adjusting our messaging surrounding voting from an isolated act to an act of solidarity.

Another concern voiced by many Gen Z voters is that electoral choices feel limited. When the system appears reduced to two unappealing options, participation declines. The solution is not to dismiss this frustration, but to highlight the growing number of new and dynamic leaders entering public service. However, this also demands that those involved in voter registration must keep up with smaller campaigns. Grassroots campaigns spring up every election, especially with social media being able to amplify newer candidates without needing the money of incumbent politicians.

Staying on top of local campaigns can exemplify how fresh voices make space for new priorities in the political arena. Elevating the ability to support new candidates demonstrates to Gen Z that there are alternatives to establishment politics and that their votes can help propel new candidates into office.

Along with social media giving rise to more grassroots candidates, Gen Z is uniquely positioned in an era where public accountability is immediate. With constant access to information, our generation evaluates leaders not by rhetoric, but by record. It is no longer sufficient to rely on campaign promises; the emphasis must be on actual action. Discussing what elected officials have accomplished grounds political engagement in tangible outcomes rather than slogans, allowing Gen Z voters to see the true impact candidates can have on their communities.

While getting people out to vote is the main push during voter registration drives, it is equally important to recognize that meaningful civic participation extends beyond the ballot box. Voting is one tool among many. Staying informed about local protests, solidarity movements, and legislative developments sustains engagement between elections. This gives Gen Z a way to actively participate in our political system in a way that does not feel momentary, allowing younger voters to build community while participating in civic action.

Staying aware of other modern forms of political participation is vital to ensure Gen Z stays engaged after leaving the voting booth.

If we want Gen Z to view voting as relevant, we must change our language. That means shifting from individualistic appeals to collective empowerment, encouraging young voters to research leaders who reflect their values, emphasizing results over rhetoric, and recognizing civic action as a year-round responsibility.

Gen Z is already reshaping culture, technology, and activism. Our potential to reshape democracy is equally strong, provided we affirm our role as a legitimate force in the American political landscape. Ensuring our generation’s full participation is not simply a matter of generational buy-in. It is a matter of strengthening the very foundation of our democracy.

Jackalope Labbe is a social work and history major at the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, Massachusetts, and a 2025 Sr. Carol Coston Fellow in NETWORK’s Young Advocates Leadership Lab (Y.A.L.L).