U.S. Latino groups launch new voter registration drive

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - A drive to register 250,000 new Latino voters in the run-up to this year's mid-term elections was unveiled on Thursday by groups that have been clamoring for the U.S. Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation.

"Our work is to support our community in having a stronger voice in the political process, particularly the policy debate process," said Clarissa Martinez De Castro, director of immigration at the National Council of La Raza.

De Castro said a coalition of Latino groups is aiming to raise $5 million this year from various non-profit donors to fuel the voter registration drive. Already, $3 million has been collected, she told reporters at a press conference.

The January launch of the voter registration drive is about six or seven months earlier than efforts in past election cycles, according to officials, giving them more time to organize before the fall campaigns when all 435 House of Representatives districts, 36 Senate seats and 36 governors' races will be in play.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/24/us-usa-politics-immigration-idUSBREA0N00Z20140124