When I was a kid growing up in Flagstaff, my mom took me to see Cesar Chavez speak outside a union hall in 1972. 

He was mobilizing our community to send a unified and universal message: Farmworkers deserve safer working conditions and fairer wages, as do all Arizonans, regardless of ethnicity, documentation, or station in life. 

That younger version of myself had limited knowledge and awareness. I could not see the future, especially my own, with any real purpose or clarity. But the seed was planted, and I began to understand how change is possible—if we unite behind a Cause greater than our individual selves. 

As a grown man of considerable years and experiences, I fully understand that equation today. 

We all can share in a better life. It’s about all of us, working and living in community, supporting each other, and rising together. 

Today, we find ourselves at the tail end of an historic election with monumental consequences. Which way our nation? Our state? Our community? 

We decide whether the outcome is positive or negative for our community in determining the consequences for our collective future. 

Are we ready? 

Well, many of us have already sent in our mail-in ballots, left our ballots at a drop box, or voted early in-person.  

But there are many of us who still haven’t. And if you haven’t yet voted, don’t worry: you still have time. But you must act. NOW. 

And if you know somebody who hasn’t yet voted, remind them. Drive them to the polls, if you must. 

Tomorrow is Election Day, meaning it’s the last opportunity to drop off a ballot or vote in person. 

Please be aware that polls close at: 

7 p.m. in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas 

8 p.m. in California 

You can find your nearest polling location or ballot drop box at vote411.org. 

If you’re still figuring it all out and would like to do some last-minute research on the issues we’re voting on, or hear what issues matter most to your peers, visit latinoloud.vote. The website was built to help you. 

There really is no excuse not to vote.  

Depending on where you live, you may take time off from work to vote: 

In Arizona, you are allowed three hours to vote. This means that if the polls close at 7 p.m. and you work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., you could leave work one hour early so you have a three-hour window available while the polls are still open. However, you must notify your employer the day before. Read the full details here. 

In California, you can take as long as you need, with up to two hours paid. Read the full details here. 

In Colorado, you may be allowed two paid hours to vote during the time the polls are open. Read the full details here. 

In Nevada, you may be allowed up to three hours of paid leave if you request the day before and if you couldn’t otherwise vote. Read the full details here. 

In New Mexico, you may be allowed two hours to vote if your work day begins two hours after the polls open or ends less than three hours before the polls close. Read the full details here. 

In Texas, you may be allowed two paid hours to vote if you wouldn’t otherwise have two consecutive hours available during the hours that polls are open. Read the full details here. 

Visit your Secretary of State website for more details, and make any plans beforehand with your supervisor. 

I encourage you to take a closer look at your options and be prepared to vote. Make a plan. Because your voice matters. 

In a democracy, participation is an essential action. Everyone deserves to have a say in how we are governed. In fact, it’s our civic duty. 

Stand up and speak up for your familia. For your friends. For future generations. Your vote is your voice. 

Like Cesar Chavez taught me at a young age: ¡Sí se puede! 

And as our Latino Loud message declares today: ¡Sí se vota! 

Cheers, 

Joseph Garcia 

Vice President of Public Policy 

Chicanos Por La Causa