As a strong supporter and active board member of the Voto Latino Foundation, the country’s most prominent Latinx voter registration organization, actor Wilmer Valderrama (TV’s NCIS) is making his final rounds and urging Latinx voters not to downplay or underestimate the importance of their voice and vote during the 2020 presidential election.

Voto Latino, whose board members include Latina actresses Rosario Dawson and America Ferrera, raised a record-breaking $18 million for its advocacy efforts, and has registered more than 300,000 voters this election cycle. With 32 million eligible Latinx voters in the United States, the word is out that we can impact this election more than any in the past. Valderrama hopes everyone Latinx realizes just how historic this moment really is and how much power they have to move this country in a new direction.

Are you voting this year? If so, why?
Yes, because too many of our brothers and sisters can’t, and I feel a responsibility to represent them.

Describe this election in three words.
Historic, reigniting, and redefining.

What would you say to the Latino community to vote in this general election (for the next president and down the ballot)?
Too much has been sacrificed for us to get a seat at the table. Vote for the leaders who speak to your needs and to the evolution of our culture in this country.

What are the top two issues you’re currently concerned about and how does that influence how you’re voting this year?
That we downplay the contribution of our community and that we don’t turn out to the polls. And that we continue to be left behind in leadership’s priorities. I am voting for all who [have] us and our American brothers and sisters in the forefront of solutions and progress.