Goal Statement

• To increase minority political participation and representation in elected local government positions in the ten counties within Washington State with the highest percentage Latino populations (Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Okanogan, Skagit, Walla Walla, and Yakima Counties).

Scope of the Problem  factual statements on the extent of the problem in the past, current, or future

• Despite comprising a considerable proportion of the population in many regions of the U.S., Latinos have for the past fifty years struggled to win elected positions in municipal government. In the state of Washington, there were by 1998 only nine elected Latino officials in local and county office. ^[1]
• In the state of Washington, the number of elected Latino local and county officials has only increased by two, to a total of eleven elected since 1998.^[1] This is despite an estimated 32% increase in Washington State’s Latino population, from 441, 509^[2] to 582, 874^[3] between 2000 and 2007,  to comprise nearly 10% of Washington State’s population^[4] 

• Several factors conspire to prevent Latinos from achieving enfranchisement.

  • Demographic factors such as relative youth, low income status, and low levels of formal education diminish Latino voter turnout.^[5]

  • A large number of the incumbents in WashingtonState have been elected under at-large election systems, which have the potential to diminish or “dilute” the voting power of a minority group.^[6] .

• The lack of “descriptive representation” for Washington State’s Latinos has a detrimental effect on their share of resources.

• ^]

Current Policy  summary of current policies in the form of legislation, programs, and funding

Policy Options   

• See the Minority Voting Rights overview page for general policy options related to this issue. 

^]

Key Organizations/Individuals   contacts for public and private organizations and key individuals

The State of the State for Washington Latinos. Organized by Dr. Paul Apostolidis at Whitman College, the State of the State for Washington Latinos is  a community-based research course that connects Whitman students with community partners to conduct meaningful original research on issues of concern for Latino communities in Washington State.

• Full research reports and executive summaries at http://www.walatinos.org./

Washington Secretary of State. Sam Reed is currently the Secretary of State for Washington. The office oversees aspects of the administration and funding of elections at the state level. The office can spearhead statewide voter education and outreach programs, as well as provide funding support for county elections administration.

• Email: mail@secstate.wa.gov, Telephone (360) 902-4151
• Nick Handy, Director of Elections: Telephone (800) 448-4881

Washington State Legislature. The legislative body of the state is responsible for creating and revising state laws and policies. Election and voting laws passed by the legislature can affect the administration of local elections.

Franklin County Auditor's Office. This office oversees the administration of elections at the county level, in addition to other accounting and records services. The elections office manages elections, voting and election records, and directs county efforts for bilingual voter outreach.

• Zona Lenhart, County Auditor: Telephone (509) 545-3536
• Diana Garza Killian, Election Administrator: Email dkillian@co.franklin.wa.us, Telephone (509) 545-3538

Glossary of Terms

• See the Minority Voting Rights overview page for the glossary of terms related to this issue brief.

Bibliography   web sites, reports, articles, and other reference material