CHARLOTTE, N.C. —  A radio show in Spanish is educating Latino voters on the American political system while encouraging them to vote this November. 

What You Need To Know

  • A radio show in Spanish educates Latino voters on the American political system and encourages them to to vote
  • There are 309,734 registered Hispanic voters in North Carolina, but the share of active voters in recent elections is much lower 
  • The partnership between Norsan Media and the Latino Civic Engagement Committee aims to increase voter turnout

Norsan Media and the Latino Civic Engagement Committee in Charlotte are behind this effort, covering subjects including the Electoral College and local offices on the ballot. 

According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, there are 309,734 registered Hispanic voters in the state. However, the share of active voters in recent elections is much lower. 

Wendy Mateo Pascual with the engagement committee joins radio host Juan Carlos Velilla for La Hora Social, or the Social Hour, on Latina Charlotte, sharing nonpartisan information about voting in the U.S., which is different from in Latin American countries. 

“In many of our countries, we don't have the period that we have here, like the early voting, so you have one day that you go and vote and that’s it,” Mateo Pascual said. 

She’s working to increase the number of Hispanic voters.

“One of the main reasons that a lot of people in the community say why they don't go to vote is because they don't have information,” Mateo Pascual said. 

In the 2022 general election, 25.8% of registered Hispanic voters in North Carolina voted. The turnout for this group was even lower for the primary election this year.

This partnership between Norsan Media and the committee is hoping to change these statistics.

“We hope these voters are encouraged and have a very clear motive to go out and vote,” Velilla said. 

Velilla adds radio has a wide reach.

“Here in Charlotte and its metro area, radio continues to play a very important role in our Hispanic community, our Latino community,” Velilla said. 

Listeners are engaging, asking questions during the show or commenting in person. 

“I know I'm making a difference because the people that are finding me in the street and the supermarket and the pharmacy that say, ‘I learned something on Tuesday when I listened to you, I didn't know that. I’m going to share with my family,’” Mateo Pascual said. 

They hope this enthusiasm translates to more Latinos voting in November. 

“We have to participate in order to be able to influence,” Mateo Pascual said.

The show is 1-2 p.m. Tuesdays on the radio or app.