A few updates on the Latino voter intimidation effort in Orange County (CA).

• First, reports now indicate that there were approximately 14,000 of the letters mailed. This was certainly a major effort to intimidate Latino voters and to keep them from the polling places in this election.
• Second, here is the text of the letter (this is from yesterday’s story in the LA Times; I also want to thank Joe Hall who sent along his own translation!):
  

  Greetings ….

  You are being sent this letter because you were recently registered to vote. If you are a citizen of the United States, we ask that you participate in the democratic process of voting.

  You are advised that if your residence in this county is illegal or you are an immigrant, voting in a federal election is a crime that could result in jail time and you will be deported for voting without having a right to do so.

  At the same time, you are advised that the government of the United States is installing a new computer system to verify the names of all new registered voters that vote in the October and November elections. Anti-imigrant organizations can ask for information from this new computer system.

  Unlike Mexico, here, there is no incentive to vote. There is not a voter registration card in the United States. Therefore, it is useless and dangerous to vote in any election if you are not a citizen of the United States.

  Do not listen to any politician that tells you the opposite. They are only looking out for their own interest. They only want to win elections without any regard to what happens to you.

  Sincerely,

  Sergio Ramirez

  That LA Times translation from Spanish to English comes from the office of state Senator Gloria Romero.

• Here is a link (link provided by Joe Hall) to what appears to be an electronic version of this letter, for readers who want to see the original in Spanish.