When Philadelphia’s first Latina Chief Deputy City Commissioner first became involved in elections, she was just being a friendly neighbor.

Norys Colon-Gonzalez would interpret for people in her neighborhood or and assist them in other things like filling out social security forms. Then-Councilman Harry Ganotti saw Colon-Gonzalez’s community impact, and asked her to knock on doors and get out the vote in the 19th ward in North Philadelphia. She’s still getting out the vote today as chief deputy commissioner, except rather than knocking on doors in one neighborhood, Colon-Gonzalez is informing and encouraging voters across the city.

Colon-Gonzalez has been in the City Commissioner’s office for 15 years. She’s answered countless phone calls and questions from voters about registration, polling place locations, ballots and volunteering for interpretation at the polls. All questions are welcome, Colon-Gonzalez said.

“I am there for them, for any questions,” Colon-Gonzalez said. “Anything that can help them come out and vote.”

Low voter turnout, especially in the Latino community, is a problem that can be traced back to the need for more education, like how to vote, where to vote, how to register and the difference between a primary and general election, Colon-Gonzalez said.

Once voters are educated, voter intimidation can turn people away from the polls. That’s something Colon-Gonzalez saw first hand when she worked in the 19th ward. Party advocates would shove little ballots in voters’ faces or have an attitude when they knew a voter was going to elect an opponent.

“There is a way that they can fight intimidation — that is by calling us on election day,” Colon-Gonzalez said. “But they should vote. They should not let that stop voting from happening.”

Latinos aren’t always represented at the polls — whether on the ballot or in front of it. Colon-Gonzalez stressed the importance of voters knowing about the resources available at the City Commissioner’s office — and that there are Spanish-speaking Latinos within its ranks.

That wasn’t always the case.

“I never really thought of being the deputy or chief deputy at that,” Colon-Gonzalez said. “When I first came to work in City Commissioners 15 years ago, I was the only Spanish person working in City Commissioners. Of course, we have more people now.”

Philadelphia’s diverse Latino community has grown in that short time as well. The three city commissioners just recently approved a measure to print a plain-language voter handbook in English and Spanish for the first time to answer some of those questions Colon-Gonzalez encounters every day.

“I just hope that the Hispanics out there will now know that I’m here,” Colon-Gonzalez said. “We need for them to vote."

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