Raul Reyes

Opinion columnist

Democrats have a Latino voter problem. That seems to be the consensus among political strategists, according to media outlets across the country. Newspapers, websites and cable news shows have all been reporting that Democrats are worried about the indifference they perceive among Hispanics towards next week's midterm elections.

Cynicism, apathy, and fear are cited as reasons why some Latinos, even in the Trump era, are not placing a high priority on casting ballots. As Cesar Gustamente of Nevada explained to The New York Times, “There are times when you’re just wasting your time on voting.”

Brother, just no.

There are sound reasons to explain, in part, why Latinos voter participation lags that of other groups. But not caring or being busy are not among them. As members of the country’s largest minority group, Latinos are uniquely positioned to push back at a president who is very comfortable disrespecting us. It’s time for us to step up and shape our future.

Don't wait for courting, seize chance to vote

According to the Pew Research Center, in 2016 the Latino voter turnout rate was 47.6 percent. Despite an expected surge of Latinos eager to cast a ballot against Trump, more eligible Latino voters actually stayed home than showed up at the polls. The numbers for the last midterms are worse. In 2014, Latino voter turnout rate fell to a record low of 27 percent. By comparison, the national voter turnout rate that year was 41.9 percent.

This election cycle, the Democratic Party is being faulted for not doing enough outreach to Hispanics; a September survey by the polling firm Latino Decisions found that nearly 60 percent of Latino voters had not been contacted by any political party or candidate. Latino voters have also had to contend with voter suppression efforts in states like Georgia, where the secretary of State (himself a candidate for governor) has allegedly disenfranchised thousands of minority voters, and Kansas, where Hispanics in Dodge City had their only polling place moved out of town.

In an ideal world, it would be nice to see Latinos courted by the major political parties, and the right to vote would be fully and easily available to all. Yet if that is not happening, this is surely not the time to stay home and check out. Voting is an opportunity and responsibility that is on us — not on any political party, or a non-profit group, or on any candidate. It is on us.

More:Let's vote, party and celebrate American democracy on a new holiday called Citizen Day

Republicans are rigging elections to win. They're anti-voter and anti-democracy.

Dear concerned Semi-Trumpers, please resist a little and vote for Democrats in midterms

To my fellow Latino Americans, think about our community’s many heroes and achievers. Did Cesar Chavez wait for a personal invite from the Democratic Party to organize his farm workers? No. Did Sonia Sotomayor wait for Ivy League schools to beg her to apply to their institutions? Of course not. These individuals changed history because they took charge of their own destiny, and they became heroes in the process.

In our own way, we can do the same and be heroes for our community by voting in the upcoming midterms. In fact, one of the greatest lessons that we can pass on to the next generation is the habit of voting not just in presidential elections, but in all elections.

The stakes are especially high for Latinos now that Trump has put two justices on the Supreme Court, likely moving it far to the right in the future. Latinos and other minority groups can no longer count on the high court to guarantee our civil rights, voting rights, or access to health care. Given this reality, it is critical that we elect a Congress that represents our interests.

Most consequential election in recent history

Sure, voting may at times feel like a futile act or an inconvenience. However, Latinos could make a huge difference in the Texas Senate race, for example, where Democrat Beto O’Rourke is trying to upset Republican Ted Cruz, or in congressional races in California. For Latinos, strong voter turnout is the best way to show that we are not happy with the government’s response to Hurricane Maria, or with the Trump administration’s cruel immigration policies.

And consider that one pernicious by-product of low Latino voter turnout is that it reflects negative stereotypes of our community. Some people probably think that more of us don’t vote because we’re lazy, or because we don’t care about civic engagement — neither of which is true. What we are, too often, is politically disengaged.

Latinos have the opportunity to participate in one of the most consequential midterm elections in recent history. Regardless of political affiliation, we must turn out in solid numbers — for ourselves, for our families, and for our country.

Raul Reyes, an attorney, is a member of USA TODAY's Board of Contributors. Follow him on Twitter: @RaulAReyes