The Latino vote could mark a milestone in the history of the evolution of this community in the country. But this historical event will happen only if this very Latino can step aside laziness and apathy and flock to the polls on Nov. 8. In 1980, I remember, my Saxon colleagues asked me about the angle of my journalistic information. 

-The Latino vote - I answered them.

-But who is interested in the Latino vote ?, they answered.

 Politicians are politicians because they know how to count. And for them, Latinos do not add up. 

That was before.

 Today, there is no media in this country that neglects this informative perspective. To talk about the Latino vote today is de rigueur: its size and presence at the polls, particularly in closed elections and in specific states, can be decisive.

In the 80s, it was said that the Latino community was a sleeping giant. 

Cruz Bustamante, the first Latino to become vice governor of California and the first Latino to be president of the California Legislature in the 90, answered that Latinos didn’t sleep, they were preparing for the future. 

The future is here. It has already arrived. It’s time for the big shift. But the apathy of the recent past rises like a ghost that can scare that opportunity away.

I remember the great Willy Velazquez touring the country in the 80s, asking Latinos to register and vote. When the residents of the west side of San Antonio, Texas, complained to him about the lack of streetlights and sidewalks in the streets of their neighborhoods, he just said: "Register and vote", and you’ll see the difference.

They payed attention to Willy. In the 90s, Latinos from Texas became a powerful collective. You only had to listen to Gov. Ann Richards saying in public that she had been elected thanks to the "Mexicans from Texas." 

Like Governor Richards did, the next President of the United States could end up saying: "I owe my presidency to Latinos." 

My colleagues from the 80s were right: politicians can count. Latinos should go out and vote. But not as they did in 2012, when only 48% went to the polls. 

There is too much at stake in this election. Some candidates have played the Latino community as if it was a political ball, they have also been insulted.  ¿How should the Latinos respond?

Politicians know how to count. On November 8, Latinos must demonstrate that they also know how to count. This case will be proved if more than 70% of the 27 million Latino voters go to polls. The Latino political moment has arrived. This point has been reached thanks to the efforts and sacrifice of many. We cannot let it get away.