Over the past two weekends, El Centro Skate Rink in Federal Way wasn’t just about rolling. It was about voting, especially for young people.
“That age group doesn't vote at the numbers that we would like for them to vote,” said El Centro de la Raza Executive Director Estela Ortega. “And so there is an effort to focus on on youth between the ages of 18 and 24, and not just Latino youth, but all youth between those ages.”
As a group, people aged 18 to 24 vote at rates lower than other age groups. According to policy research group KFF, about 28% of Washington residents aged 18 to 24 voted in the 2022 general election, compared with 78% of Washington residents aged 65 and older.
In addition to El Centro de la Raza, other groups represented at the get out the vote events included League of Women Voters and King County Elections.
El Centro de la Raza also brought local social media influencers, like Lorena Soriano, who runs momchangetheworld on Instagram, to spread the word.
“I feel like we're all just kind of getting excited where it's: we know that we can create change. Our voice matters.” Soriano said. “Either we're first gens or we're zero gens or like second generation. I'm a Latina. I'm a Mexicana. We have not always had a seat at the table. We have not always had the right. And now that we do have this right, let's use our power, our poder. And just, like El Centro says, juntos creamos cambio.”
John Cortes who goes by Corteezyy on TikTok and Instagram says he wants to change people’s skepticism of voting.
“The world doesn't look like voting is what matters right now. ‘My bills are too high. My gas is crazy. I can't even afford groceries. So, like, why do I need to focus on voting?’ And so like, rightfully so. I agree with all that. But the reason why these things are so high is because of voting,” he said.
“In a world right now where it doesn't look the best. I promise you, we can make a difference. We can. We can definitely change the trajectory of, like, what things are looking like right now and don't lose hope,” Cortes said.
“I wish that someone had taught me about these things.. when I was young,” he added. “I'm trying to fill that role.”
