Kissimmee, FL – Yesterday, Hispanic Federation (HF) in partnership with NUC University – Florida Technical College (NUC FTC), organized “Party to the Polls,” a nonpartisan event aimed at encouraging young people to vote early before the 2024 election. The event was a part of the broader work to empower the Latino community to participate in the 2024 election. Students, university employees, and even seniors from the community joined the party to the polls to celebrate the civic duty of voting as they cast their ballots in a fun and meaningful way.
HF acknowledges the crucial role of young voters in shaping the future and is committed to making the voting process accessible and engaging. This initiative aimed to instill pride and responsibility in voting. At the event, a party bus transported participants from the university to early voting sites from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. HF staff ensured that participants were registered voters eligible to vote in Osceola County.
At the polling site, Jinnielys Santiago, a cosmetology student, excitedly stated, “I thank NUC University and the Hispanic Federation for giving us this wonderful opportunity and for letting our voices be heard, so let’s get ready to vote.”
“We need more people to vote in this society and this world today,” said Erik Villareal, a first-year business student. “I think it’s a very good idea to go in groups. It fosters teamwork and leadership and for making an impact together.”
Laudi Campo, Florida State Director for Hispanic Federation, explained that the Latino electorate is the second largest voting bloc in the United States and continues to experience historic growth, with Latinos projected to account for nearly 15% of all eligible voters in November 2024. “Our organization is focused on promoting education and election participation because we want our community to play an important role in the democratic process. With more than half of Osceola County’s population being Latino and hosting this event at a university, we’re sparking a new wave of enthusiasm among young voters and the community at large,” Campo added.
According to Pew Research, approximately 1.4 million Hispanics become eligible to vote in the U.S. every year. Of the estimated 36.2 million Latinos eligible to vote, roughly 25% will be casting their ballots for the first time this year.
In 2024, Latinos are expected to make up 20% of Florida’s electorate, equivalent to one in five voters. Osceola County, where Hispanics represent 56.1% of the population, is a key area for HF’s voter engagement efforts.
A national poll of Latino voters conducted in August by Hispanic Federation and Latino Victory Foundation found renewed enthusiasm to vote in the presidential election, with 73% of registered Latino voters stating that they are almost sure they will vote in this cycle.
NUC FTC President Dr. James Michael Burkett emphasized the importance of student involvement in the voting process, noting the significance of this initiative at a campus where 90% of the student body is Hispanic. “Today marks an important moment as we bring the voting process directly to our students. We’ve partnered with the Hispanic Federation to encourage college students, particularly those from minority backgrounds, to amplify their voices by voting. At NUC FTC, we are committed to supporting our students and staff by making it easier for them to access the information and resources they need to vote. We are offering paid time off for our employees to vote, as we believe in empowering our students and staff to contribute to their communities in meaningful ways,” concluded Dr. Burkett.
The “Party to the Polls” event underscores HF’s broader mission of fostering civic engagement among the Latino community while remaining strictly nonpartisan, with no endorsement of specific candidates or political parties.
For more information about Hispanic Federation’s voter engagement initiatives in Florida, please visit https://www.hispanicfederation.org/our-work/civicengagement/florida-civic-engagement/
About Hispanic Federation:
The Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1990 dedicated to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income and immigrant Latinos. HF’s programs span across 40 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia, covering areas such as immigration, civic engagement, health, education, and more.
About NUC University Florida Technical College
NUC University – Florida Technical College was founded in 1982 to provide private, post-secondary education in specialized fields. NUC University (NUC) is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE or the Commission) www.msche.org. NUC’s NUC University – IBC Technical Division (NUC-IBC), NUC University – Florida Technical College (NUC-FTC), and The Digital Animation & Visual Effects School (The DAVE School) are included in this accreditation. NUC’s accreditation status is Accreditation Reaffirmed. The Commission’s most recent action on the institution’s accreditation status on 2019 was to reaffirm accreditation. MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education to conduct accreditation and pre-accreditation (candidate status) activities for institutions of higher education including distance, correspondence education, and direct assessment programs offered at those institutions. The Commission’s geographic area of accrediting activities is throughout the United States.
NUC-FTC offers diploma, associate, and bachelor’s degree programs in a range of professions, including Healthcare, Construction Trades, Hospitality, Beauty, Information Technology and Business. NUC-FTC campuses are located in Orlando, Kissimmee, Lakeland, DeLand, Pembroke Pines, Cutler Bay and Tampa. Program availability varies by campus.
