{"id":517542,"date":"2026-11-03T21:38:14","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T21:38:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/517542\/"},"modified":"2026-11-03T21:38:14","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T21:38:14","slug":"voter-turnout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/517542\/","title":{"rendered":"Voter turnout"},"content":{"rendered":"

This story<\/a> first appeared on The LA Local<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To prepare for this year\u2019s election, young people on L.A.\u2019s Eastside have been working with local nonprofit InnerCity Struggle to encourage their neighbors to make their voices heard, educate them about their rights and push for stronger civic participation \u2014 at a time when some community members are facing the consequences of immigration enforcement<\/a>, housing insecurity and other issues.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The nonprofit, which was founded in 1994, is aiming to restore faith in democracy by hosting voter registration drives at high schools and voter protection workshops<\/a>, as well as educating local residents on their rights and where and when to cast their ballots. Local teens told Boyle Heights Beat that it\u2019s important to them that Eastsiders get a chance to weigh in on issues affecting their lives.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI am tired of seeing our communities get attacked,\u201d said Aholiabama Beltran, a senior at Lincoln High School, who also volunteers for the organization through its youth program.\u00a0<\/p>\n

She expressed frustration at the immigration enforcement raids happening in Los Angeles in addition to the rising costs of living and the gentrification of her community. \u201cWe are living in a time where young people worry about their parents not coming back home after work,\u201d Beltran said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Beltran, who is voting for the first time in this election, said voting is one way community members can push back against these challenges and advocate for change.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy parents always encouraged me to go out and vote, especially since I have a brother who\u2019s unable to go vote due to having a disability. I am not just voting for myself, but for my family, my brother, and the people who might not be able to vote due to their immigration status,\u201d Beltran said.<\/p>\n

For InnerCity Struggle, encouraging voter participation<\/a> is a way to rebuild trust in the political process among residents who feel their communities and concerns have been overlooked by elected officials.<\/p>\n

Steven Ortega, the director of youth organizing, said immigration raids, family separations, housing insecurity and challenges facing public education have contributed to a sense of hopelessness among some Eastside residents.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel that people are losing hope because they\u2019re seeing that there\u2019s no point at this moment,\u201d Ortega said.<\/p>\n

He said he believes young people can help change that outlook by learning about their rights, understanding what\u2019s on the ballot and encouraging others to participate.<\/p>\n

Although U.S. citizens must be at least 18 to vote, California allows eligible 16 and 17-year-olds to preregister, which, Ortega said, gives students an opportunity to get involved before they reach voting age.<\/p>\n

In October, InnerCity Struggle held a voter registration drive for students at Roosevelt High School in Boyle Heights, where students were encouraged to either preregister or, if they are 18 or older, register to vote.<\/p>\n

\"Students<\/p>\n

Volunteers work at an InnerCity Struggle voter registration information booth at Roosevelt High School.<\/p>\n

(<\/p>\n

Alyssa Lopez<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Boyle Heights Beat<\/p>\n

)<\/p>\n

Ortega said the hope is to get teenagers activated and ready to accept the \u201cpower and privilege\u201d of voting.<\/p>\n

\u201cYoung people play a really deep role in this,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

According to Ortega, students involved in InnerCity Struggle\u2019s fellowship program received training on voter registration and then led outreach efforts at their schools.<\/p>\n

One of the students helping encourage civic participation is Kelly Woo, a junior at Woodrow Wilson High School and president of the school\u2019s United Students Club, a student-led group affiliated with InnerCity Struggle that focuses on civil rights and community advocacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI realized that if I want to create change \u2026 I have to go out of my way to, like, seek it out. It won\u2019t just come to you naturally,\u201d Woo said.<\/p>\n

Although she is not yet 18, Woo said she has preregistered to vote and is encouraging her peers to do the same.\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, Woo said some of her peers question whether their individual votes can really make a difference.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey feel like \u2026 their voice doesn\u2019t matter,\u201d Woo explained. \u201cThey\u2019re like \u2026 I\u2019m just one person.\u201d<\/p>\n

Woo hopes to change that mindset by showing other students that their voices play a role in decisions affecting their neighborhoods. She said she often has conversations with her peers about voting and elections in a democracy, emphasizing that young people need to understand the democratic process now to participate meaningfully in the future.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A student at Roosevelt High School urges students to preregister to vote by scanning a QR code to the online form.<\/p>\n

(<\/p>\n

Alyssa Lopez<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Boyle Heights Beat<\/p>\n

)<\/p>\n

InnerCity Struggle has also worked to educate older residents about their voting rights.<\/p>\n

On Oct. 16, the nonprofit brought together teenagers, adults and older residents for a voter protection workshop<\/a>, where information was provided in English and Spanish. At the workshop, California attorney Buddy Norton joined virtually to explain voters\u2019 rights and answer questions from residents.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Norton discussed laws prohibiting voter intimidation and interference at polling locations, and he shared information about how residents can protect their rights and those of others.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

An InnerCity Struggle staff member facilitates a voter registration and voter protection workshop for the local community at the nonprofit\u2019s headquarters.<\/p>\n

(<\/p>\n

Alyssa Lopez<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Boyle Heights Beat<\/p>\n

)<\/p>\n

At InnerCity Struggle\u2019s Lucha Carnival event on Oct. 26<\/a>, Woo delivered a speech on the Mariachi Plaza stage, sharing why it is important for the community to go out and vote.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a resident of El Sereno, I have noticed an increase in our local prices, homelessness and a lack of resources for our community,\u201d Woo said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

She also spoke about watching her immigrant parents struggle and how their experiences have motivated her to advocate for change at school and in her community.<\/p>\n

Together, these events have brought students and older residents into conversations about voting, giving young people opportunities to take leadership roles while helping their neighbors better understand their rights.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A student member of InnerCity Struggle\u2019s youth program, the United Students Club.<\/p>\n

(<\/p>\n

Alyssa Lopez<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Boyle Heights Beat<\/p>\n

)<\/p>\n

As Beltran explained, she wants her peers to recognize the issues facing their community.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome students say it doesn\u2019t affect me, so why should I care? But\u2026it affects everyone, even if it doesn\u2019t happen to you, it still affects your neighbor, your mom\u2019s friend, or your friend\u2019s friend,\u201d Beltran said.<\/p>\n

This story was produced under The LA Local\u2019s Youth Journalism Program. To learn more or to get involved, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n