llevando al estado en la dirección correcta. La encuesta, realizada por la organización sin fines de lucro Chispa Arizona, contó con la participación de más de 500 votantes latinos de todo el estado. Se encontró que el 90% de ellos están preocupados por el aumento en los recibos de luz, y apoyan una transición a la energía limpia.

Trenton Marlar, analista de Embold Research, dice que además del aumento de los costos, una gran mayoría tampoco confía en el sistema energético del estado, especialmente durante los meses más calurosos del año.

"Si nos centramos tanto en el costo como en la confiabilidad," dice Marlar, "vemos que estas son algunas de las principales preocupaciones de los votantes latinos pero también lo hemos visto en otras encuestas de Arizona, asi que estos son los temas que realmente preocupan a los votantes de Arizona en general."

Marlar afirma que los votantes latinos del Estado del Gran Cañón también están preocupados por la contaminación derivada de la generación de electricidad, que se ha demostrado que afecta en mayor medida a las comunidades de color. La ACC de cinco miembros, que actualmente cuenta con una fuerte mayoría republicana, regula la mayoría de los servicios públicos del estado. Tres escaños están en juego en las próximas elecciones primarias y generales.

La Asociación Nacional de Funcionarios Latinos Electos y Designados proyecta que casi una cuarta parte de los votantes de Arizona este noviembre serán latinos.

Vianey Olivarria, de Chispa Arizona, dice que los resultados de la encuesta muestran que la transición a la energía limpia y renovable es un tema prioritario para muchos latinos en Arizona, y añade que las decisiones tomadas por la ACC tienen un impacto directo en la vida de sus habitantes.

"Los resultados de las encuestas dejan muy claro que ha llegado la hora de un nuevo ACC que apueste por la energía limpia, asequible y renovable," apunta Olivarria. "Casi tres de cada cuatro votantes latinos están de acuerdo en que Arizona debe producir tanta energía limpia como sea posible. Tenemos más de 360 días de energía solar, no hay absolutamente ninguna razón para que no seamos lideres en esto."

Olivarria sostiene que la mayoría de los votantes latinos no tienen muchas opiniones encontradas sobre temas polémicos en este ciclo electoral. Como por ejemplo, el cambio climático y el aborto. Si bien estos son dos temas que podrían llevar a los votantes a apoyar a un candidato de un partido sobre otro, Olivarria dice que tiene confianza en la comunidad latina para apoyar lo que es mejor para Arizona en el futuro.

El apoyo para este informe fue proporcionado por The Carnegie Corporation of New York.



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An Indiana debate over history and power is growing. Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith recently defended the Three-Fifths Compromise in a social media video. The compromise counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxes.

Beckwith called it a "great move" for America at the time, and praised the group WallBuilders, describing them as the "gold standard" for teaching U.S. history.

The Indiana Citizen investigated both claims. Publisher Bill Moreau called on Hoosiers to pay attention.

"We have been working on a project since the first of the year that we called: 'One Heartbeat Away: Do Christian nationalists have an agenda for Indiana?' Lt. Gov. Beckwith is literally one heartbeat away from being governor," he said.

If Beckwith became governor, he could shape education policy. That includes choosing textbooks. The Indiana Citizen's report found WallBuilders promotes views rejected by most historians. Some Hoosiers agree with Beckwith and say his views reflect America's religious roots.

Moreau encouraged Hoosiers to stay informed and take a closer look at the history Beckwith promotes.

"Understand what Lt. Gov. Beckwith said about the Three-Fifths Compromise," he added. "How he attributes that analysis to this group called WallBuilders - which he considers to be 'the gold standard for learning the real history of America.'"


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Seattle's City Council voted last week to put the city's Democracy Voucher Program on the ballot to be renewed in August and supporters of the program are looking to take it statewide.

Launched in 2017, the program gives each resident four $25 vouchers to donate to participating candidates. Data show the program has boosted voter turnout, increased small donors fivefold, and encouraged more women and people of color to run.

Spencer Olson, spokesperson for the nonprofit People Powered Elections Seattle, said voucher programs counter nationwide voting rights rollbacks and model a more inclusive democracy.

"It's proof that we can reduce the influence of big money, can expand participation, and can give regular people a stronger voice in who represents them," Olson outlined.

People Powered Elections has been working on a bill for next session to bring democracy vouchers to Washington's state legislative races. Participating candidates must get a minimum number of signatures and small donations to qualify and must adhere to contribution and spending limits.

Critics of the program said it creates new avenues for corruption because candidates will be motivated to lie about where the contributions come from. Olson countered so far in Seattle there has been no evidence of widespread misuse or fraud, adding there are robust legal safeguards in place.

"Anyone who commits theft, forgery, trafficking or unlawful transfers of democracy vouchers face steep penalties and fines and up to time in jail," Olson pointed out.

Olson noted Seattle's success has inspired interest from other cities and counties. He added a statewide voucher program for legislative elections could create infrastructure to expand it locally, helping smaller communities hold more competitive races.

"I used to live over in Kittitas County for many years, and it was very common to have an uncontested election or not even have anyone run for local office," Olson recounted.

A bill to bring a voucher program to Washington's state elections will be introduced next year.


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Indiana activists with the 50501 movement will hold new protests this summer against the Trump administration.

The effort, which stands for "50 protests, 50 states, one movement," plans to expand beyond the Statehouse into smaller Indiana communities.

Alisa Advani, Indiana chapter member of the 50501 movement, said local organizers will lead the new events. Advani explained the movement wants to fight government overreach and protect constitutional rights.

"It's a national group," Advani pointed out. "It was designed specifically so that there would be coordinated protests in every state on the same day, and it's grown exponentially. Now, we've had protest groups pop up by the 10s, 20s, 30s across every state."

Critics said the protests exaggerate federal actions. Some argued they turn legal and policy debates into political fights. National political analysts said the 50501 movement reflects political division and growing public concern about the role of government.

Advani noted more 50501 groups are forming across the country. The Indiana chapter plans to announce summer protest dates soon.

"A lot of people in the United States are upset," Advani emphasized. "They see a loss of constitutional rights and due process. And they've decided to come out in protest to send a very clear message to Congress and the President of the United States that we will not stand by idly and let this happen."

The group said it wants to create a space for people who may have been afraid to speak out in the past. Advani added they accept new members from all political backgrounds, including those who once supported current federal policies.


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