CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On Thursday, volunteers from two community groups encouraged and supported new voters at the polls during early voting.

What You Need To Know

  • Two community groups support new voters at the polls

  • Some voters who meet certain criteria can request assistance during voting process

  • There will be another event on Sunday to encourage more Hispanics to vote

The Latino Civic Engagement Committee and the Latin American Coalition hosted "Vamos a Votar" or "Let’s Go to Vote" at East Mecklenburg High School.

“The idea is to bring them out, encourage them to come out and vote and have them feel safe while voting,” Latino Civic Engagement Committee Chair Leo Scarpati said.

During the event, Scarpati and other volunteers assisted naturalized citizens who needed help navigating the voting process.

In North Carolina, voters can request assistance with entering and exiting the voting booth and preparing ballots, if they fit certain criteria. 

“I think for some people the language barrier is what causes them not to come out and vote, especially if they feel they don’t have the support they need in order to do so,” Scarpati said.

On Thursday afternoon, two of the event participants were voting for the first time in a presidential election.

Daisy Arias was voting for the first time. Arias, who is originally from the Dominican Republic, became a citizen two months ago.

"I feel like an active participant and someone who is taking an important step,” Arias said.

The new voter emphasized it would have been difficult for her to cast her ballot without assistance.

"Everything is different here, so for me it would be very hard. I feel I could potentially make mistakes because I'm nervous,” Arias said.

Scarpati is glad he is empowering Hispanic voters to exercise their right.

“One of the things we hear sometimes in the community is ‘my voto no importa,’  or my vote doesn’t matter, and we need to make sure voters know their vote does matter,” Scarpati said.

If voters need assistance in Spanish at the polls, there are poll workers who can help.

The Latino Civic Engagement Committee, the Latin American Coalition, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church are having another voting event on Sunday, October 18 from 1:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. The plan is to vote at Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center.