PHOENIX, Ariz. – As Election Day draws near, a local nonprofit is working to shield Latino voters from misleading political claims that often spread in Spanish‑language media. The “Party to the Polls” event, held Tuesday at a community center, brought dozens of participants together to learn how to verify information and understand their voting rights.

Community organizers lead the effort

Monica Sandschafer, director of Mi Familia en Acción, explained that the organization focuses on first‑time voters and recent immigrants who are exercising their constitutional right to vote. “What matters to families – schools, jobs, safety – is decided by politicians and by the elections,” she said.

Jesus Sarabia, a participant, echoed the sentiment, noting that the workshop gave him confidence. “It means a lot because they’re getting informed, they’re getting more confident,” he said.

Research shows language gaps fuel misinformation

Political science professor Marisa Abrajano of UC San Diego, who studies how voters encounter false narratives, highlighted a key challenge: major platforms like Meta lack fact‑checking tools for non‑English content. “Spanish‑speaking Latinos who say they use social media sites in Spanish for news were more likely to believe false political narratives,” she said.

Abrajano added that data from 2024 indicated a concerted effort to target Latino communities with disinformation. “What we learned in 2024 is that Latino voters and communities were really being targeted with disinformation and misinformation,” Sandschafer said.

Why Latino voters matter in Arizona

State demographic data shows that roughly one in three Arizona voters identifies as Latino, a share that can sway statewide elections. With early voting closed, the campaign urges voters to use drop‑off locations for mail‑in ballots and to verify information before heading to the polls.

Practical steps for voters

• Check multiple news sources, especially English‑language outlets that provide fact‑checks.
• Use official state websites to confirm ballot deadlines and drop‑off locations.
• Ask community organizations like Mi Familia en Acción for clarification on policy questions.
• Report suspicious posts to platform moderators and to local election officials.

The effort reflects a broader push across the Valley to empower families with the tools needed to make informed choices, reinforcing the principle that every citizen’s voice matters in a free election.

Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.