The effort focused on people ages 18 to 24, a group that votes at lower rates than older adults, said El Centro de la Raza Executive Director Estela Ortega. The outreach was intended for young people broadly, not only Latino youth, she said.

About 28% of Washington residents ages 18 to 24 voted in the 2022 general election, compared with 78% of residents 65 and older, according to figures cited from policy research group KFF.

The League of Women Voters and King County Elections also took part in the events. El Centro de la Raza brought in local social media creators to help reach young people, including Lorena Soriano, who posts as momchangetheworld, and John Cortes, known online as Corteezyy.

Soriano said voting gives communities that have historically lacked representation a way to influence change. “Let's use our power, our poder,” she said, urging people to make their voices heard.

Cortes said he understands why people facing high bills, fuel costs and grocery prices may question whether voting can make a difference. But he argued that elections shape the decisions behind those costs, and encouraged young people not to give up on their ability to change the direction of public policy.

Cortes said he wished someone had explained civic participation to him when he was younger. He hopes to help fill that role for others.