Hispanic Businesses Get Out the Vote

   Hispanic businesses and Spanish-language media are  sponsoring a lew of civic engagements and get-out-the-vote efforts in the Washington area. Some are part of larger national campaigns like the Republican and Democratic interest in recruiting Hispanic voters and the interest in changing immigration policies. The majority of the efforts are aimed at getting Hispanics to register and show up on Election Day.

The Ayuda Business Coalition runs one such campaign. Made up of  more than 100 local Hispanic-owned businesses, the nonprofit was formed last year by business owners opposed to the county's crackdown on illegal immigration. The organization has set up registration booths at some members' grocery stores and at soccer matches. It plans to to conduct demonstrations on how to use voting machines and run spots on Spanish-language radio.

Hispanic media are also playing a stepped-up role, donating air time and advertising space to get Hispanic voters to the polls. Spanish media such as: Washington Hispanic,  El Tiempo Latino and Univison have all made contribution to the efforts.