The Hispanic Institute Launches Bilingual PSA for Get-Out-The-Vote Campaign

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, The Hispanic Institute launched a bilingual public service announcement video encouraging Hispanics to vote in this November's midterm elections. The video -- which transitions seamlessly between English and Spanish -- is part of the Institute's 2014 Get-Out-The-Vote campaign.

"America's 54 million Hispanics owe it to themselves and their families to make their voices heard at the polls this November," said Gus West, Board Chair of The Hispanic Institute. "Our video appeals to Hispanic Americans' sense of civic duty -- whatever their preferred language may be."

Historically, Hispanics have been under-represented politically. That's largely because they've voted at rates 25 percent lower than blacks and whites.

The Hispanic Institute's video aims to change that. And reaching Hispanics requires bilingual outreach. The U.S. Census Bureau predicts the use of Spanish as the primary language will decrease among Hispanics in the coming years. Already, a quarter of Hispanic Americans speak only English at home.

The Hispanic Institute is looking to air its Get-Out-The-Vote video in five states with the most competitive elections this fall: Nevada, Colorado, North Carolina, Georgia and Iowa.

"With the mid-term elections just six weeks away, Hispanics have a historic chance to influence policy on the issues that matter most to them," said West. "Our campaign will call on them to seize that opportunity."

For more information or to schedule an interview with The Hispanic Institute, please contact XiNomara Velazquez Yehuda at (202) 544-8284 or Email.

About The Hispanic Institute
The Hispanic Institute (THI) is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization that seeks to promote and grow the participation of Hispanics in civic engagement and the electoral process. To achieve this goal, THI organizes and implements Voter Registration, Voter Education, and Get-Out-The-Vote projects throughout the country. For more information, please visit www.thehispanicinstitute.org.

SOURCE The Hispanic Institute