New Americans Democracy Project blog

Exit Poll Full Report

nryan — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:59:33 -0500

We are proud to release after further tabulation the 2008 immigration exit poll full report.

Click here to view report

The results of exit polls done by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) in partnership with Univision Radio News and the Asian American Institute show the following key findings:

Top issues among Latino voters: Economy (41.6%), Immigration (17.9%), Education (9.5%)

Top immigration issues for Latino voters: A path to legalization for the undocumented (66.4%), Faster processing for family reunification petitions (14.2%)

Exit Polls Results Show Immigration as One of the Top Issues Among Latino Voters

nryan — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:54:25 -0500

Latest results of exit polls done by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) in partnership with Univision Radio News show the following key findings:
Top issues among Latino voters in Illinois are:
1- Economy
2- Immigration
3- Education

Top immigration issues for Latino voters:
1- A path to legalization for the undocumented
2- Faster processing for family reunification petitions

Top immigration issues for Asian voters:
1- Faster processing for family reunification petitions
2- A path to legalization for the undocumented

88% of Latinos first-time voters voted for Obama
83% of Asians first-time voters voted for Obama

Latinos Overwhelming Support for Senator Obama and Democratic Candidates in Key Races

nryan — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:15:04 -0500

The results of exit polls conducted throughout the day by high school seniors.
Among key findings:
In Illinois, 90% Latino voters voted for Senator Barack Obama
In key races:
- 10th Congressional district, 70% of Latinos voted for Dan Seals
- 11th Congressional district, 90 % of Latinos voted for Debbie Halvorson
- 14th Congressional district, 82 % of Latinos voted for Bill Foster
The heavy support for Democrats from Latino voters can be explained in part by the perception of 68% of Latino voters that the Republican party is not favorable to immigrants, while only 7% find the Democratic party not favorable to immigrants.

Preliminary Latino/Immigrant Exit Polls Results

nryan — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:13:44 -0500

Preliminary Latino/Immigrant Exit Polls Results

The preliminary results show that the three top issues for Latino voters are:
Immigration
Economy/Jobs
Education

The second conclusion shows that Latino/Immigrant voters consider that the Republican Party is unfavorable to immigrants.

Hundreds of volunteers get out the immigrant vote

nryan — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:52:52 -0500

CHICAGO, IL – The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) in coordination with host organizations, campaign fellows, and hundreds of volunteers are getting out the immigrant vote in an unprecedented effort.

Starting at 6am today, volunteers arrived to the campaign headquarters. They were trained and sent to knock on doors, drop literature with polling place information and to place posters in businesses encouraging voters to go to the polls. After only 2 hours of work, several of the precincts reported hundreds of voters casting their ballots. In addition, 65 high school seniors have been conducting exit polling since 7 this morning in designated areas including precincts in Waukegan, Joliet, Aurora, Bridgeview, Melrose Park, Berwyn, and other areas of south, north, and west Chicago.

Monday Madness!

nryan — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:30:05 -0500

With only hours left before Election Day, organizers, volunteers, fellows, activists and youth put in place efforts to get immigrants to the polls in record numbers on Election Day. In a collaborative effort between the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), host organizations and campaign fellows, thousands of immigrants will be able to make their voices heard on November 4. ICIRR through its’ New Americans Democracy Project “Our Vote is Power” campaign registered more than 25,000 new immigrant voters and its goal is to mobilize 144,000 immigrant voters to the polls on Election Day.

As you can see we still have alot yet to do and still need your help. If you havn't volunteered yet now would be the time. If you have already volunteered bring your friends and family. Call our Volunteer hotline: 1‐866‐944‐VOTE or email vcastro@icirr.org

GOTV Rally Huge Success

nryan — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:40:56 -0400

Thank you to all our volunteers, supporters, and elected officials for making last nights event such a huge success. The Teamsters Hall echoed as over 2000 people gathered chanting “yes we can” in English, Spanish, Korean, Polish, Cantonese, French, and Arabic. The night was filled with heartfelt speeches by Mayor Richard Daley, Il Rep Luis V. Gutierrez, Chicago City Clerk Miguel del Valle, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, and many others. Individuals directly effected by the current flawed immigration policy were able to share their stories. Members of the religious community also added their say in the importance of human dignity and fair immigration policy and Asian and Muslium political representation. All of these voices came together to form a firm commitment to fight for just and humane immigration – to vote; and to help our friends and family make their voice heard.

Illinois Immigrant Political Almanac Released Today!

nryan — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:49:09 -0400

Illinois Immigrant Political Almanac

What do one in 4 citizens in Evanston / New Trier / Niles have in common?

They were born abroad and are naturalized citizens in the U.S.!

What do the Districts of Congressmen Roskam, Bean, Kirk, Weller, Biggert, and Foster all have in common?

There are more Latino voters than the winning vote margin in the 2006 elections!

What is the net shift from U.S. born citizens to foreign born citizens in suburban Cook County, from 2000 to 2007?

100,897 people! (Loss of 45,557 U.S. born citizens; gain of 55,450 foreign born citizens)

Does Cook County or Kane County have a higher percentage of registered Latino voters?

Cook County is 12.2% Latino voters, and Kane County is 12.1% registered Latino voters!

Come read about these fun facts and others! Today the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, in conjunction with Univision Radio News, released its http://icirr.org/sites/icirr.org/files/Illinois Immigrant Political Almanac.pdf ">Illinois Immigrant Political Almanac, a guaranteed best seller among Illinois political junkies everywhere.

GOTV Rally Oct. 27th

nryan — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:14:12 -0400

Help us get out the vote! Join us and 2000+ election workers for the GOTV Rally Oct. 27th. The Rally will take place at the Teamsters Local 705 Auditorium, 300 S. Ashland Chicago, IL.

Need a reminder for the fridge? Want to help spread the word?

Check out our GOTV Flyer!

GOTV Flyer (English)
GOTV Flyer (Spanish)

Statement on Electoral Integrity

nryan — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:22:59 -0400

ICIRR highlights the importance of trained staff and informed communities to protect the sanctity of the ballot and avoid voter suppression and electoral fraud

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights believes that U.S. citizenship and voting are sacred trusts in our democracy. We are passionately committed to encouraging eligible legal permanent residents to learn English, become U.S. citizens, and as citizens exercise their right and responsibility to vote. We also believe passionately that the integrity of the ballot and the voter registration process must be protected from voter suppression, voter registration fraud, and voter fraud.

ICIRR launched the New Americans Democracy Project in 2004 in order to promote civic participation in the immigrant communities of Chicago and suburbs. Experienced staff, consultants and experts have provided the tools to assure that our electoral work is done with high standards for electoral integrity. Over the past 4 years we have registered 80,759 immigrants to vote without a single complaint from election officials.

City Clerk Miguel del Valle Joins New Citizens to Vote for the First Time

nryan — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:44:56 -0400

Chicago City Clerk Miguel del Valle joined advocates from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) and Polish, Latino, and Asian immigrants who have become new U.S. citizens to promote civic participation. “It is an honor for me to join new citizens who will be casting their first vote in America,” said Clerk del Valle. “Now more than ever our immigrant communities need to get involved and voting is key to have our voices heard loud and clear.”

Chinese American VOTE2008 Town-Hall Meeting

nryan — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:34:09 -0400

Over two hundred community members, elected officials, immigrant advocates, youth leaders and volunteers gathered at the Chinese American VOTE2008 Town-Hall Meeting at the Chinatown Library on October 13, first day of early voting. 10 youth leaders testified about immigration, public education, and community safety in front Congressman Danny Davis, Mayor Daley's Chief of Staff Gene Lee, candidates for US Senate and state legislature, officials from the Board of Education, and police commanders. The Town Hall marked the beginning of Chinese American community's efforts to increase turnout by 3,000 people in Chinatown and Bridgeport areas.

25,815 voter registrations!

nryan — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:09:29 -0400

ICIRR and its’ member organizations announced success today in registering 25,815 voter registrations in the immigrant community through the New Americans Democracy Project “Our Vote is Power” campaign. The next step is to “Get-Out-The-Vote” (GOTV) through an unprecedented effort that includes direct contact with over 144,000 immigrant voters through a combination of door-knocking, direct mailers, door-hangers, live and robo-calls.

Communities Mobilize to Counter the Attacks

jmahendra — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:20:04 -0400

Just yesterday, the Illinois Review attacked New Americans Democracy Day with bogus statements that demonize all immigrants in this country. Their outrageous claims about "non-citizens stealing elections" are a sad but frequent fear-tactic used by too many in the immigration debate. Immigrant communities are mobilizing to fight these attacks by becoming citizens, registering those who already are citizens, and turning out their communities on election day.

New Americans Democracy Day this Saturday!

mazemun — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:11:03 -0400

Join Senator Dick Durbin, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, and hundreds of immigrants rights leaders from around the country for New Americans Democracy Day!, a national celebration of Immigrant Voting Power! Illinois Senator Dick Durbin is confirmed to attend.

Why We're Marching... all the way to the polls

jmahendra — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:59:00 -0400

More than ten thousand people poured into the streets today to march not only for the dignity of all workers, but also to urge for the passage of real, humane immigration reform in this country!