Raleigh nonprofit laser-focused on newest generation of Latino voters as Election Day nears

About 24 percent of Latinos in North Carolina may participate in their first presidential election this November, according to Unidos US, a national Hispanic civil rights organization. 

That’s why Irene Godinez, co-executive director of Poder NC Action, along with a Puerto Rican plena band, visited Winston-Salem State University to reach young voters of color.

Godinez says money talks, and both popular political parties need to invest more in reaching this burgeoning electorate. 

"The way that money in politics shapes an election is really unsavory but that’s the reality that we live in right now," Godinez says. "If we’re not putting enough resources into this space, then we are contributing to the marginalization of young Black and brown voters." 

In talking to these voters, Godinez says concerns for the state of the country's economy and reproductive rights have been at the top of the list. 

Santiago Ochoa covers healthcare for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. Follow him on X and Instagram: @santi8a98