Phoenix, AZ (November 5, 2026) - Aliento today shared the impact of its Aliento Votes campaign, a youth-focused effort to encourage civic participation and help community members make their voices heard. Through their civic engagement efforts, young people and volunteers helped connect Arizona voters with information and encouraged eligible community members to participate in the election.
Campaign activity included contacting 43,490 eligible voters, including nearly 40,000 calls made. The campaign also hosted 11 community events from Tucson, to Tempe, from Phoenix to Mesa where youth along with their friends and family were able to access information about creating a plan to vote while engaging in activities like loteria, art, and making floral bouquets, among other activities.
“Aliento Votes showed what’s possible when young people lead and communities come together. Every conversation, every door knocked, and every person who took action helped strengthen our community’s voice and support for immigrant families. Youth voices matter because young people are not just the future of our communities. They are shaping them right now,” said José Patiño, Vice President of External Affairs and Education at Aliento.
Youth voices matter because young people are part of the communities shaped by decisions made at every level. When young people have the tools and encouragement to participate, they can help bring their experiences, priorities, and hopes for the future into public life. Aliento Votes also recognizes that civic engagement can take many forms, including sharing reliable information and supporting eligible voters. Youth encouraged their peers to vote and also Latinos to ensure to keep the immigrant community in mind as they were casting their ballots.
Aliento Votes, a nonpartisan campaign, was led by Gen-Z and millennials who believe that our communities are stronger when we are all civically engaged. Aliento’s interns, volunteers, fellows, and community were grounded in the reality that not everyone can vote either because they are too young or are Dreamers and immigrants that have not been able to become citizens due the lack of Congressional action but everyone has a voice and every vote counts. Aliento youth know that what we do matters and that everyone's voice matters.
“This campaign was about making civic participation feel accessible and reminding people that their voices belong in decisions that affect their lives. I’m proud of the young people, students, and volunteers who shared their stories, provided information, encouraged eligible voters, and showed up for their community,” said Karen Velazquez, Aliento Votes Field Lead.
