Latinas, Technology, and E-Democracy

From ZeroDivide Foundation:
HOPE. ACT. VOTE, a program funded by the ZeroDivide, is a statewide campaign which aims to mobilize California’s 1.6 million Latina registered voters to become informed citizens, effective policy advocates, and active civic participants through an interactive online advocacy center. HOPE is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to ensuring political and economic parity for Latinas through leadership, advocacy, and education to the benefit of all communities and the status of women.

In a recent report on Latina Voter Internet and New Media Usage, Latina voters with access to the internet are more likely to be informed about new state laws and the legislative process in general than non-connected Latina voters. Conducted by Bendixen & Associates, the poll highlights the importance of bridging the digital divide to engage the Latina voting bloc for civic participation. The poll, Public Opinion Study Of California Latina Electorate, is the first of its kind to gauge Latina voters’ awareness and comfort level using social media.

The findings are based on a statewide survey of the California Latina electorate sponsored by Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE). The report finds that access to the Internet and usage of “new media” are very important catalysts for the political and civic involvement of Latina voters in California. Latinas that have access to the Internet and an email address are significantly more likely to be informed about new state laws and the legislative process in Sacramento than Latina voters that are not connected to “new media.” They are also more likely to get directly involved in organizations that focus on issues that impact on their careers and the quality of life of their families.

Other findings include:

Approximately one-third of Latina voters use their cell phone for text messaging. The language and educational “divides” for text messaging are similar to those for Internet access. About half of English dominant Latinas and three-fifths of those with at least a college degree text message on a regular basis in contrast to one-seventh of Spanish dominant Latinas and less than 10 percent of those without a high school diploma. 

There is an important opportunity for corporations, government institutions, political parties and candidates to increase their market share or their electoral appeal by directly communicating through “new media” with those segments of the Latina population that are more culturally assimilated and with those higher up on the socioeconomic scale.

Usage of social networking sites, such as MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter is still a new phenomenon among Latina voters. Only 6 percent of Latinas that have Internet access reported visiting a social networking website on a daily basis. Young Latinas (18-34) and those with a college or a graduate degree are more likely to access these sites more often.

For additional information on the report click here.

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