Tuesday marks National Voter Registration Day, with advocates urging Americans to register to vote ahead of November's midterms. To mark the event, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus hosted a voting roundtable to discuss voting rights policy. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Congressional Hispanic Caucus on Tuesday -- National Voter Registration Day -- hosted a voting roundtable to discuss voting rights policy

  • According to the Brennan Center for Justice, since the beginning of 2021, 18 states have passed 34 restrictive voting laws

  • Advocates say these restrictions disproportionately impact voters of color, but Republicans argue the policies will prevent voter fraud

  • For more information on National Voter Registration Day, click here

According to the Brennan Center for Justice, since the beginning of 2021, 18 states have passed 34 restrictive voting laws. Advocates say these restrictions disproportionately impact voters of color, but Republicans argue the policies will prevent voter fraud.

Some of those laws, Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif., told Spectrum News, include "legislation to restrict voting access for populations, things like diminishing the amount of booths, voting polling places, how long they're open on election day, restricting being able to vote by mail, or drop by voting.

"All that hurts working families, especially in minority communities," he added.

Speaking to Spectrum News, Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla., alleged efforts being taken to exclude Hispanic voters.

"Florida sadly has suppressed the vote, cutting vote by mail applications in half, attacking drop boxes, and not even allowing people to get water in long lines in places like Miami," Soto said. "So we're here to hear from folks across the nation about what obstacles are to voting and then we're going to be proactive with the Biden administration to protect the vote of all Americans."

Soto says Florida has had to get preclearance for the last 50 years "due to its history of 'intentional discrimination' to non-white voters," referring to a judgment, from March 2022, that prohibits the state from making changes to voting laws without preapproval from a federal court. 

When asked what he would tell Hispanic voters looking to vote in the upcoming election, Soto said that Democrats "will protect and safeguard your right" to vote, but urged people to make a plan to vote and stick to it.

"If you're going to vote by mail, you vote early on," he said. "Early voting is an easy way to vote. And if you have to wait till Election Day, make sure to go to the polls early, so that you don't get caught in a long line or potentially vote too late. And make sure you're updating your signature with your voter card. If you're going to vote by mail because that's the prime way a lot of folks try to knock votes out." 

Soto reiterated the importance of "voting early." He said it is the easiest way to ensure your votes are counted "because they literally send you that they've recorded your vote," Soto added. "And you won't have to worry about having to work, and rush on Election Day."

For more information on National Voter Registration Day, click here.