CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas —
The joint primary election is just a few weeks away and there will now be a way for Spanish-speaking voters to stay informed on who they could be voting for.
The League of Women Voters in Corpus Christi will be releasing it's very first Spanish voting guide.
League president Alice Upshaw Hawkins said that the state league has historically published a Spanish guide that includes statewide candidates but have never included the translations for local Nueces County candidates.
"Being that Nueces County is in the neighborhood of 60 percent Spanish-speaking people, I mean it's a no-brainer," Hawkins said. "Why wouldn't you do this?"
During every election season, the League of Women Voters in Corpus Christi distributes voting guides around Nueces County. Those guides are typically only in English, but this year, for the first time, there will be a Spanish version.
"We decided that it was going to be in our best interest for the voters of our area to have a nonpartisan document that helps them to know who the candidates are, to know how to vote, to know how to register, when to register," Hawkins added.
The league president understands that a language barrier may cause some voters to withhold their votes, she said these new guides can open doors for that population.
"Our mission is to defend democracy and empower voters and so this Spanish guide just fits right into our goals and our mission," Hawkins said. "We want to empower everyone to participate in the process."
President of the LULAC Council #1, Dr. Nick Adame, said with so many Hispanics in the Coastal Bend being first generation and speaking English as a second language, it's important to provide a source of voter information in Spanish.
"Being able to understand the issue and know that we can always take the fight to the ballot box and know that our vote will make a difference," Adame said. "So, it is important that we get them to understand that their voice is their vote."
More from 3News on KIIITV.com:
- Kingsville police arrest man who called them to confess in murder case, then reportedly punched officer after questioning
- MasterChef Junior winner serves up pasta and smiles at Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Texas
- CCISD one of two Texas schools being accused of discrimination among other violations
- Texas State Aquarium otters make Super Bowl predictions known
- Former Coastal Bend priest ordered to pay victim $4 million as civil suit wraps Friday
- Boat washes up south of Bob Hall Pier, after investigation, gets new home
- Families, Medical Examiner's office enter mediation for botch autopsies accusations
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for your daily news and exclusive extended interviews.
Do you have a news tip? Tell 3!
Email tell3@kiiitv.com so we can get in touch with you about your story should we have questions or need more information. We realize some stories are sensitive in nature. Let us know if you'd like to remain anonymous.