Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
My name is Isha Arciba de la Cruz, and I serve as a Regional Voter Registration Manager for When We Count AZ, a historic, first-of-its-kind partisan voter registration program spearheaded by the DNC. With over 700,000 unregistered Latino voters in Arizona, I am profoundly honored to direct and mentor a team of dedicated Spanish-speaking fellows focused on closing this gap.
Raised in a home where political dialogue was part of daily life, my path was shaped by my parents, who immigrated from Chihuahua, Mexico. Throughout my childhood, they sent me to Mexico each summer to deepen my connection with our family. Our family roots run deep in a rural community that was very active during the Mexican Revolution, where my grandparents still farm land granted to our family as an outcome of that historic struggle. My family has always recognized that the pursuit of justice is continuous; their unwavering advocacy for local water conservation and environmental protection inspires me every day. However, making those summer journeys without my parents always left me asking, “Why can’t my parents be here with me? I wish they were here.”
“I wish” is a phrase I have heard—and spoken —far too many times throughout my life: “I wish my parents didn’t have to work all the time,” “I wish I could afford college,” “I wish my parents had papers.” We often use “I wish” to describe circumstances that feel unattainable or beyond our control, yet desperately need changing. This reflects a deep truth about how my community experiences these challenges, but it also underscores our collective desire for meaningful transformation.
This reality is precisely why organizing within Latino communities holds a deep personal meaning for me. Looking back on the conversations my friends and I had growing up, we never labeled them as “politics,” even though policy decisions directly touched every aspect of our daily lives. Through this work, I have realized how essential it is to help young Latino voters connect those dots. These issues have already shaped their lives, giving us a powerful opportunity to show them that wishing for change is no longer enough—we must step up and make our voices heard, because often all it takes is hearing from a peer who shares your background and experiences.
That is where When We Count comes in! Our Spanish-speaking fellows have mastered engaging young Latino voters through authentic, intentional dialogue. Given what our community faces under the current administration, we lead with directness and urgency—there is simply no time to beat around the bush. Our strategic approach has driven incredible results: 45% of voters registered through When We Count in Arizona identify as Latino.
The last year and half has brought deep fear and overwhelming uncertainty to my community, forcing people to drastically alter their daily routines and take unprecedented safety measures. The threat is so intense that my father feels compelled to carry his passport at all times, even though he is now a U.S. citizen. Many of our fellows come from mixed-status households, making this cause deeply personal for our entire team. Living under such unrelenting strain is unacceptable, and our community cannot afford to remain passive. With so much on the line, we must press forward with unyielding urgency—because it truly is now or never!
Learn More About When We Count
The work of Isha and the When We Count team has made a significant impact by driving meaningful engagement, expanding grassroots outreach, and strengthening voter registration efforts. Learn more about the progress being made and how this program has empowered communities across key regions through voter registration efforts.
Support Our Battleground States
Our path to victory runs directly through battleground states, where turning out Latino voters is critical. From the skyrocketing cost of living to threats to community safety, Latino families are directly impacted and harmed by Donald Trump’s agenda. With the midterms offering a vital opportunity to flip the U.S. House and Senate, we are actively recruiting for Late Help roles in key battleground areas. Whether you’ve organized for one cycle or twenty, your experience is urgently needed in these final weeks. Sign up for a Late Help role today to mobilize, empower, and turn out Latino voters where it matters most.
Share Your Story
Stories like Isha’s are just one example of the incredible impact within our community. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, uplifting and honoring these voices is more vital than ever. We encourage you to share your own story and join us in celebrating our shared journey.
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This is really bad when they stop freaking. Banning you from sleeping opinions on this website, which is mister. T is doing the worst s*** in the world, messing around with the hispanic people. I want something that's cold accuracy, white ice, no. So ice could go after white people like you. Mr t like your administration, mr t. Let these people ramp on you like. Vance does on south park on you. Yes boss yes boss
this is so cool isha!! wow