If there’s one thing Elvira Diaz, currently the Civil Engagement Community Organizer at the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, has learned, it’s the power of using her voice, from tv and radio programs to campaign rallies and legislative sessions.
She now wants to see more people participate in our democracy. One person Diaz recently helped was over eighty years old and registering to vote for the very first time.
“It doesn't matter what party you are or what you believe,” Diaz said. “If we have a hundred percent participation, then we will have people who represent us, and they will listen to us. And if we abstain, then our voices are not going to be heard. The people can analyze after the election if that person they voted for really delivers what they say they're going to do, or it's really good for them.”
As part of her work with PLAN, Diaz hosts weekly “Democracy Dinners”. Anywhere from six to fifteen people gather each week to learn more about the political process.
“Even if you vote against something that I want, like the other candidate, that's fine because it's a democracy,” Diaz said. “That way, we can make people accountable. If you vote wrong, don't worry,” she said. “Next time, you’ll fix it and vote right. That happened to me the first time I voted, I didn't even know about party lines. I like this name, this name is beautiful. Now, we have Google. We have the internet. We can check each one. Do your homework.”
An issue she sees as crucial as do many others is the lack of accessible housing and the insecurity caused by skyrocketing living costs.
Diaz recently helped two individuals who were suddenly evicted from a rented house after over twenty years of residency. After the house they had rented and lived in was sold to another owner, the new owner didn’t renew the lease.
Diaz helped them find housing, soliciting friends, family and other community members to help during their difficult transition. Diaz said that evictions weren’t her specialty, and this work was unrelated to her PLAN efforts.
“I did this in my spare time, in the morning before I go to work,” Diaz said. “Go to work, come back, check on them. When this lady cooked food for them, I was like the Uber driver for the food. So I just dropped the food off after my work.”
Diaz ran for office in Sparks for City Council Ward 3 during the last election cycle but failed to win despite a strong campaign both in person and online. Not discouraged and always bolstered, she pursues her good deeds at her current job and during her spare time.
Right now, Diaz believes in the value of voting, even if there are skeptics, young people turned off by aggressive tactics and many faults to the process. Election day for Nevada’s primaries is today.