HOUSTON — For a few moments, Aleida Ramos, wearing her rose-colored tiara, coral dress with the scalloped bell skirt and cowgirl boots, floated above family and friends, uplifted by tradition, community and family.

It was Aleida's quinceañera — her 15th birthday celebration — and at this moment, the men and boys had lifted her straight up as her guests applauded, a high point in a day dedicated to her.

But even though she had permission to soak up all the attention, she dedicated a part of the event to a bigger cause. In the entry of the family-owned event hall where her party was being held, Aleida had made room for the Latino youth advocacy group Jolt Initiative so it could register her mostly Hispanic guests to vote.

Slipped between the speeches of thanks to family and friends and the dances with her uncles, Aleida and her father spent a few minutes urging their guests to register to vote.

Aleida Ramos gives a short speech encouraging eligible family and friends to register to vote at a "Poder Quince" station set up near the event hall's front door. Loren Elliott / for NBC News

Nothing was said about who should or shouldn't be in the White House or about the job being done by Congress. Instead, Aleida and her father, Marco Ramos Jr., focused on the potential political influence of Latinos, who turned out in record numbers in 2018, but still have some of the worst turnout among eligible voters.

"We want to get as many votes out there for the next election," Marco told his guests.

Aleida said she wanted to support the family, friends and community that has been supporting her "with what I can, and that is my vote."

“Our vote ensures we continue to protect our community and those who matter to us most,” she told her guests.

The Latino voting challenge

Jolt’s aim is to make voting as much of a part of the Latino culture as a quinceañera.

Jolt launched its "Poder Quince" (Quince Power) initiative in May, noting that 50,000 quinceañeras are held each year and that the celebration has become mainstream in Texas.

Jolt is a Texas-based nonprofit that organizes and mobilizes Latinos to build their political power. It has a political arm that supports a progressive agenda and leaders.

Aleida’s quinceañera was the first in Harris County, which includes Houston, to incorporate the Poder Quince project. Harris County has the second-largest Latino population in the country, about 2.02 million, behind Los Angeles County's Latino population of about 4.91 million.

The county set a turnout record in last year's midterm elections and performed better than recent presidential elections, helped by increases in young voter and Latino turnout.

“That’s why we are so focused on energizing the Latino vote in Houston. The Latino vote lives here, and we have to mobilize them and there is so much riding on them,” said Antonio Arellano, Jolt’s spokesman.