In Idaho, a new non-profit organization named We Are Idaho is striving to increase civic participation among young Latino voters. Founded by Maria Gonzalez Cardenas and others, the group aims to address the lack of representation in local governance, such as school boards and city councils.
Engagement and Education Initiatives
Since its inception in February, We Are Idaho has been active in promoting voter engagement. In May, the organization partnered with the Future Hispanic Leaders of America to educate high school students on political issues. They also hosted a candidate mixer in Nampa, just days before the primary election, to connect the community with political candidates.
Maria Gonzalez Cardenas, who serves as the Vice Chair of the organization, is also a member of the Idaho Hispanic Foundation Board. She emphasizes the importance of representation and civic involvement, particularly as the Hispanic population in Idaho grows. According to the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs, the Hispanic population in the state was approximately 13% in 2025, with a median age of 28, significantly younger than the statewide median.
Political Endorsements and Challenges
We Are Idaho has endorsed candidates across party lines, including Democratic House Rep. Sonia Galaviz and Republican House Rep. Carlos Hernandez. Despite these efforts, Hernandez lost his primary race, which Gonzalez attributes to low voter turnout in Canyon County, an area with a significant Latino population.
Looking ahead, the organization plans to host additional events to encourage early voting and increase voter turnout. They also aim to address a broader range of issues, including immigration and healthcare, which are pertinent to the Latino community in Idaho.
Future Goals
Gonzalez highlights the long-term goal of achieving full voter participation and engagement, especially with the upcoming 2030 census and subsequent redistricting. The organization is working to prepare for these changes, emphasizing the critical nature of their efforts in the coming years.
Early voting for the general election begins on October 13, with absentee ballot deadlines and in-person voting concluding by the end of October.
Original reporting: Idaho Education News — read the source article.
