SACRAMENTO, CA - California State Treasurer and Democratic nominee for Governor Phil Angelides today sharply criticized mailers sent to Orange County voters designed to suppress the Latino vote in November's election.
"This is the latest in a disgraceful pattern of efforts to intimidate Latino voters and silence their voice at the polls," said Angelides.
The Spanish-language mailer warns voters claims that federal officials are keeping a searchable database that tracks people casting votes, and says the database is made available to anti-illegal immigration groups. It also tells registered voters, "Unlike Mexico, here there is no incentive to vote."
Noting that Orange County was the site of the Republican Party's infamous posting of uniformed security guards outside polling stations to intimidate Latino voters, Angelides called on Governor Schwarzenegger to join him in condemning these tactics.
"Governor Schwarzenegger should immediately condemn his party's historic pattern of trying to scare Latino voters away from the polls," said Angelides. "California is a richer state when Latino voices are heard and respected, not when they are silenced and intimidated."
Governor Schwarzenegger has been criticized for a number of actions by Latino leaders, including supporting Proposition 187, praising the Minutemen, and calling for the borders to be closed.
Attorney General Bill Lockyer has launched an investigation into the mailers.
Following is a copy of the mailer and an English translation.
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Click here to view the mailer: http://www.angelides.com/pdfs/downloads/CCIR-20letter.jpg
Below is a translation:
Greetings,
You are being sent this letter because you were recently registered to vote. If you are a citizen of the United States, we ask that you participate in the democratic process of voting.
You are advised that if your residence in this country is illegal or you are an immigrant, voting in a federal election is a crime that could result in jail time, and you will be deported for voting without having a right to do so.
At the same time, you are advised that the government of the United States is installing a new computer system to verify the names of all new registered voters that vote in the October and November elections. Anti-immigration organizations can ask for information from this new computer system.
Unlike Mexico, here there is no incentive to vote. There is not a voter registration card in the United States. Therefore, it is useless and dangerous to vote in any election if you are not a citizen of the United States.
Do not listen to any politician that tells you the opposite. They are only looking out for their own interests. They only want to win elections without any regard to what happens to you.
Sincerely,
Sergio Ramirez
