Press Release

For Immediate Release: October 1, 2012

For more information: Jonathan Cohen, Communications Team (480) 459-7902, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A dozen organizations across Tucson are uniting as one force on Wednesday October 3rd to watch the first 2012 Presidential debate and to engage the wider community in an empowerment vigil to get out the vote. Communities of United Tucson are inviting families to come eat dinner, watch the debate, enjoy arts & crafts, pick up non-partisan voting materials and to stand together wearing white for an empowerment vigil emphasizing the importance of voting in Southern Arizona. The event will be held from 5:30-8:00 pm in the cafeteria of Sunnyside High School, 1725 East Bilby Road, 85706.

Participating organizations include: AFSCME Local 449; Border Action Network; Humane Borders; La Frontera Center; La Fundación Arizona Advocacy Network; Latino Policy Coalition; RebelArte Collective; Save Ethnic Studies; ScholarshipsA-Z; Toltecalli High School; and Undocumented Youth in Action.

Voter ID laws and tougher voter registration requirements across the nation are making it harder for working poor, women, seniors, and Latinos to vote.  A study produced by the civil rights group Advancement Project, says there are more than 10 million eligible Latino voters "who could be deterred or prevented from voting in the 2012 elections" because of new voting laws enacted or proposed in 23 states. This is the time for us to engage our community and raise awareness about not just the importance of voting but how to register, how to sign up for the permanent early voter list, and the rights we have as citizens to vote.