Whether you are voting on a national, state, or local level, remember that every election counts: every Latino vote counts! As I consider my personal priorities—education, the economy, and immigration reform—it is critical that I remain engaged in the election process. It is critical that all voting Latinos engage in the election process and vote consistently, to insure the Latino voice is heard consistently.

Why is it so important to vote? Because it is our right as members of a democracy to vote. As members of our democracy we must actively protect our rights and our future as Latinos. Therefore, we must exercise our democratic right to vote people into office who will protect our collective interests.

Politicians are aware Latinos will be the majority minority by the year 2045. We must let all politicians know Latinos are serious and our vote is to be taken seriously today. Historically, Latinos have been used for one thing: our vote. Politicians, both incumbent and wannabes, need our votes to get elected but will dismiss, barter away, and drop our collective interests in a heartbeat once the election is over. They will resurface in our communities four years from now to elicit our support to win or remain in office.

Today, less than two weeks away from Election Day, both the Democratic and Republican parties are no longer interested in the Latino vote. The Democratic Party assumes it has already won the Latino vote—with historically over 60% of our vote. The Republican Party has determined the Latino vote is irrelevant—historically within a 20% range. Both parties have turned their focus toward other constituents: white female, African-Americans, and millennials. Latinos have once again been taken for granted and have ceased to part of the conversation! Upon being elected with help from Latinos, history will repeat itself. Latinos will again become a constituency whose interests will be bargained away protecting other interests.

For us to hold politicians accountable, we have to first hold ourselves accountable and vote. We must be selective about who we vote into office to insure our interests are protected and promoted. Let us hold ourselves accountable and send a clear message to both the Democratic and Republican parties: Every Latino vote counts; our interests as members of our democracy count; and we will vote into office those individuals who will protect and promote our interests!