Perspectives by Raúl Macías

Every Voice Shines New Light

The value of an idea increases exponentially when it’s shared. From our staff, partners and grantees to the people impacted by their efforts, each perspective offers new insight into the critical issues at the heart of our work.

Raúl Macías Program Director, Democracy

Raúl leads the Fund’s development and launch of strategies for achieving the Fund’s goal of building a fairer and more representative democracy in California.

An elderly Latino couple holding up American flags

Celebrating Latino Heritage Through Greater Participation and Representation

October 10, 2024 | by

Latinos Currently Account for 40% of California Residents

Building a more inclusive, equitable, and just democracy requires focusing on California's diverse Latino population.

Latino Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate Latino history and culture in California. Latinos are the largest ethnic group in our state, accounting for 40% of residents. Latinos have contributed enormou…

Group photo of Million Voters Project coalition and community members

A Shared Vision for Building Community Voice

September 23, 2024 | by

The Million Voters Project Unites Nine Diverse California Organizing Networks

A conversation with Amado Uno, Director of MVP, on the work to mobilize underrepresented populations to vote and have a say on pivotal issues.

“All in for all of us.” That’s the tagline for a broad-based coalition of groups that are working together to make sure California voters are more representative of the unrivaled diversity of the state. At a t…

Jesse Salinas conversing with young people during the 2023 Youth Empowerment Summit

“Changing the Culture” on Voting and Civic Engagement

July 18, 2024 | by

How Yolo County is Showing the Way to Higher Turnout

A conversation with Jesse Salinas, Chief Elections Official of Yolo County and newly elected President of the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials.

As the elected assessor, clerk recorder, and registrar of voters for Yolo County, California, Jesse Salinas has a full plate of responsibilities. This year, his office—and 57 others across the state—will play a crit…

Getting Out the Vote on the Road to November

June 12, 2024 | by

How Our Grantee Partners Are Gearing Up for the 2024 Election

We asked four leaders what they’re doing to realize the promise of democracy ahead of this year’s pivotal election.

Across California, Haas, Jr. Fund grantee partners and their allies have been gearing up for the 2024 election. From get-out-the-vote (GOTV) campaigns and community organizing to nonpartisan efforts to educate commu…

Photo of a San Bernardino County voter heading into a polling place

Redefining Civic Engagement in California's Inland Empire

June 12, 2024 | by

A Conversation with Sky Allen of the Inland Empire United Education Fund

Created in 2012, the organization is partnering with community-based groups across the region to build the power and voice of historically disenfranchised communities.

The Inland Empire region in Southern California is a diverse, rapidly growing area with 4.7 million residents, including more than one million immigrants. The geographic region (Riverside and San Bernardino counties…

A poll worker standing behind a group of voters filling out their ballots

Boosting Voter Participation: Countdown to November

March 25, 2024 | by

Ramping up our efforts to improve access for California's most marginalized voters

The implementation of the Voter's Choice Act (VCA) and continued support of civic engagement tables are promising areas of focus for us as we ramp up our efforts to support a thriving democracy.

The turnout for the March primary in California was historically low. If we weren’t already on high alert about the health of our democracy, then the primary election should be a wake-up call and a reminder that we…

Voters waiting in line to fill out their ballots

Poll: Californians Identify Problems, Solutions for Advancing A Multiracial Democracy

October 16, 2023 | by

Participation Gaps And Voter Outreach Among Voters' Main Concerns

The IGS poll results reveal where we've made progress and how far we still have to go to achieve a truly inclusive, multiracial democracy in California.

The Institute of Governmental Studies (IGS) at UC Berkeley, with support from the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, released polls this year that looked at how Californians are feeling about their democracy. The res…

Working to Expand Voter Registration Access in California

September 18, 2023 | by

Reflecting on National Voter Registration Day

Californians have a lot to celebrate about voter registration trends in our state, but there is still work to do.

As we mark National Voter Registration Day on September 19, Californians have a lot to celebrate about voter registration trends in our state. Over the past decade, our state has seen voter registration increase rem…