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Emprende

  • Emprende offers vital resources for immigrants, guiding them through U.S. citizenship, legal rights, and community building. We provide accessible tools and educational support to help immigrants thrive, achieve economic stability, and confidently navigate governance.

Know Your Rights if ICE Comes to Your Business

This video explains clearly and directly what to do if ICE agents arrive at your business, how to protect your employees and your community, and what your legal rights are as a business owner.
Approved by attorney Julie Solis-Alvarado, whom we thank for her valuable and generous contribution in making this information available to everyone.

Download, print and post this flyer in your business.

About us

Emprende

Our Mission

At Emprende, we empower the Latino community in the United States through education and advocacy, ensuring informed decision-making in the democratic process. Our goal is to demystify voting, promote civic engagement, and build a more just and equitable society for all.

Our Vision

At Emprende we envision a future where every member of the Latino community in the United States is empowered with the knowledge and tools to actively participate in the democratic process. Our website serves as a beacon of hope and opportunity, offering comprehensive resources and educational materials tailored to new citizens and first-generation Americans.

Through our online platform, we strive to cultivate a culture of civic engagement, where individuals from all walks of life understand the significance of their voice and their vote. From local elections to presidential races, we are committed to providing accessible, bilingual information that demystifies the electoral process and empowers our community to make informed decisions.

We envision a society where every Latino new citizen and first-generation American feels a sense of belonging and agency in shaping the future of their communities and the nation at large. Our website serves as a bridge between aspiration and action, fostering a vibrant network of informed citizens who are actively involved in building a more just and equitable society.

Together, we are rewriting the narrative of Latino civic participation in the United States, one voter at a time. Join us on this journey of empowerment, education, and advocacy as we strive to create a brighter tomorrow for generations to come.

Why Local Elections Matter

Who Is Elected at the Local Level

Eligibility Requirements to Vote

Why Local Elections Matter

Local elections, though sometimes overshadowed by national races, have a profound impact on the day-to-day lives of Americans. These elections decide who leads our communities, shapes policies at the grassroots level, and sets the course for local development. Here are a few reasons why participating in local elections is crucial:

  1. Impact on Daily Life: Local officials like mayors, city council members, school board representatives, and sheriffs make decisions on issues that directly affect citizens—such as public safety, education, housing, and transportation. These decisions influence everything from the quality of schools to the safety of neighborhoods.
  2. Closer Representation: Local government officials are more accessible and can be more responsive to the concerns of their constituents. Voting in local elections helps ensure that community leaders reflect the values and priorities of the local population.
  3. Economic and Social Services: Policies on taxes, business regulations, and public services are often determined by local governments. The outcome of these elections can influence local economic opportunities, social welfare programs, and public infrastructure projects.
  4. Foundation for Larger Change: Many national political figures began their careers in local offices. Supporting candidates in local elections can help build a pipeline of leaders who align with a community’s values and vision for the future.
  5. Turnout Matters: Voter turnout is typically lower in local elections, meaning that every vote carries more weight. A small number of votes can decide critical issues like zoning laws, public health initiatives, and even law enforcement policies.

Local elections have a significant impact on our everyday lives, from education to public safety and economic development. By voting at the local level, citizens ensure that their community’s values and needs are represented. It is important to get involved at the local level, not just during presidential elections, because these decisions shape the future of our communities in meaningful ways.

Who Is Elected at the Local Level and Why It Matters

In U.S. elections, both local and federal officials are chosen by voters. These elected officials have different roles and responsibilities, ranging from influencing national policies to managing community services. Here’s a breakdown of the types of officials elected and what they do:

  1. U.S. Senators: Senators are elected every six years and represent their entire state in the U.S. Senate. Each state has two senators, and their duties include creating national laws, confirming federal appointments (like Supreme Court justices), and approving treaties. Their decisions impact both state and national policies.
  2. U.S. House of Representatives Members: Elected every two years, members of the House represent specific districts within their states. They work on creating and passing federal laws, deciding on the national budget, healthcare policies, and defense matters. The number of representatives per state depends on its population, and they ensure the needs of their district are voiced in Congress.
  3. Mayor: A mayor is the chief executive of a city or town and is responsible for overseeing local government services, such as law enforcement, public transportation, and infrastructure. They often propose the city budget and may have the authority to approve or veto local laws.
  4. City Council Members: These officials represent different districts or neighborhoods within a city. They are responsible for passing local laws, approving city budgets, and deciding on public services like parks and zoning regulations. City council members work closely with the mayor to address community issues.
  5. School Board Members: School board members manage public education in their area. They set school policies, hire superintendents, approve budgets, and make decisions that affect the curriculum, school funding, and student services. Their decisions have a direct impact on the quality of education in the community.
  6. Sheriff: The sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer for a county, particularly in areas that fall outside of city police jurisdiction. They oversee the county jail, enforce court orders, and ensure public safety. The sheriff’s office plays a key role in maintaining law and order, especially in rural areas.
  7. County Commissioners: County commissioners govern larger geographic areas than cities or towns. They manage county services like public health programs, infrastructure, and land use planning. Their decisions can affect a wide range of services that impact daily life across the county.

These elected officials shape policies at both the local and national levels. Local officials manage critical community services and help address issues that directly affect daily life, while federal officials influence broader policies that affect the entire nation. Participating in elections for all levels of government ensures that communities have leaders who reflect their values and priorities.

Eligibility Requirements to Vote

  • TO VOTE IN U.S. FEDERAL ELECTIONS, YOU MUST:
  • Be a U.S. citizen
    Through birth in the U.S.1
  • Through birth overseas to a U.S. citizen parent2
    Through naturalization3
    Lawful permanent residents cannot vote in federal elections, though they may vote in some local elections.
  • Meet your state’s residency requirements Be 18 years of age on or before election day
Click here

To find out how to register to vote in your state, locate your polling place, or get information about absentee and early voting

Resources

First things first: Let’s learn the basics
let’s start from the beginning.

  • How is the United States governed?

The United States is governed through a system of federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances. Here’s a brief overview:

  1. Federalism: The U.S. government is divided between the federal government and individual state governments. The federal government is responsible for national issues such as defense, foreign policy, and interstate commerce, while state governments handle matters such as education, public safety, and transportation. This division of powers helps ensure that authority is shared between the national and state levels.
  2. Separation of Powers: The U.S. government is divided into three separate branches, each with its own distinct powers and responsibilities:
  3. Executive Branch: Headed by the President, the executive branch is responsible for enforcing laws and administering government programs.
  4. Legislative Branch: Made up of the Congress, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the legislative branch is responsible for making laws.
  5. Judicial Branch: Headed by the Supreme Court, the judicial branch interprets laws and resolves disputes.
  6. Checks and Balances: Each branch of government has the ability to check the powers of the other branches, ensuring that no single branch becomes too powerful. For example, the President can veto legislation passed by Congress, but Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote. Additionally, the Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional, but Congress can propose constitutional amendments to overturn Supreme Court decisions.

Overall, the United States is governed through a complex system of federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances, designed to ensure that no single entity has unchecked authority and that power is dispersed among different levels and branches of government.

  • And it all starts with you

The United States is often referred to as a democratic country because it operates under a system of representative democracy. In this system, citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. Here’s an introduction to how the United States embodies democratic principles:

“The United States is a democratic country founded on the principles of freedom, equality, and self-governance. At its core, American democracy empowers its citizens to participate in the political process and shape the direction of their nation. Through free and fair elections, citizens have the opportunity to choose their leaders at the local, state, and national levels, including the President of the United States and members of Congress. Additionally, the U.S. Constitution and its amendments protect individual rights and liberties, ensuring that all citizens have the freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, among others. The system of checks and balances, established by the Constitution, ensures that no single branch of government has too much power, further safeguarding the democratic process. Overall, the United States stands as a beacon of democracy, where the voices of its citizens are heard and respected in shaping the country’s future.

Contact with Us

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Email

info@emprendehoy.com

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