AGenda Item 10.4 Resolution Latina Coalition of SVDear Honorable Mayor Marques and City Council Members,
On behalf of the Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley (LCSV), I am writing to
express our strong opposition to the proposed resolution outlined in
Agenda Item 10.4, calling for a "Legally Valid 2024 General Election."
As an organization committed to fostering civic leadership and promoting
equitable participation for Latinas across the region, we find this proposal
not only unnecessary but counterproductive to the democratic values we
uphold. The language of the resolution implies a lack of trust in our existing
election system, a system that has been carefully constructed to ensure
fairness and integrity for all communities, including marginalized groups like
the Latino population in Gilroy.
The LCSV's mission is to advocate for the empowerment of Latinas
through education, civic engagement, and leadership development.This
resolution, however, risks undermining public confidence in our electoral
process, potentially disenfranchising those very communities who have
historically faced barriers to full participation. We are particularly
concerned that this move may sow unnecessary confusion and doubt about
the legitimacy of the upcoming election, discouraging voter turnout and
creating an environment of distrust.
We urge the Council to reconsider advancing this resolution and instead
focus on strengthening community engagement, voter education, and the
existing mechanisms that protect the integrity of our elections. A successful
democracy depends on the active participation of its citizens, and proposals
like this can have a chilling effect on that participation.
LCSV stands ready to work alongside the City Council to promote efforts
that enhance voter access and transparency in elections, as we have done
through initiatives such as our Get Out The Vote efforts and civic
engagement programs across Santa Clara County. We encourage the
Council to reject this resolution and instead focus on initiatives that uplift
and empower all of Gilroy’s residents, ensuring a fully engaged and
informed electorate.
Thank you for considering our perspective. We look forward to continuing
our work with the City of Gilroy to create a more inclusive and equitable
community.
Sincerely,
Gabriela Chavez-Lopez
Executive Director
Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley
Latina Coalition of
Silicon Valley
1346 The Alameda, Ste 7-293
San José, CA 95126
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www.latinacoalition.org
Board of Directors
Dianna Zamora-Marroquin
President
Jazmin Gonzalez
Vice President
Jessica Gonzalez
Treasurer
Vanessa Grijalva
Secretary
Esme Bautista
Board Member
Emily Esparza
Board Member
Dora Beyer
Board Member
Executive Staff
Gabriela Chavez-Lopez
Executive Director