For the first week of early voting, Houston’s East End came alive with color, music, and joy. Young Latinas in sparkling quinceañera dresses led their families and neighbors to the polls — dancing, laughing, and reminding the world what democracy looks like when it’s powered by culture and community.
Hosted by Jolt Initiative, Quince to the Polls wasn’t your typical civic event. It was puro corazón, and a day where cultura met civic pride.
Turning a Rite of Passage into a Movement
Through our Poder Quince™ program, young women across Texas are reimagining their quinceañeras — those milestone celebrations of identity and family — as a way to spark something bigger.
Because when a quinceañera becomes a platform for civic power, it tells every young Latina: your story, your voice, your vote, they all matter.
At this year’s Quince to the Polls, Houston came through with music, food, local vendors, and familia. And when it was time, the whole crowd walked together to the polls at BakerRipley Ripley House, side by side, glitter and all.
“Our culture has always been powerful,” said Jackie, Executive Director of Jolt Initiative. “We just needed to remind the world that joy and action can exist in the same breath.”
The Story Made Waves
KPRC Channel 2 invited our team in-studio to talk about how this event inspires young Latinos to vote through culture and community.
The Houston Chronicle captured the spirit of the day, calling Quince to the Polls “a beautiful merger of cultural tradition and civic participation.”
Together, these stories reached millions across Texas, highlighting what happens when young people lead with culture, courage, and corazón.
Gracias to Our Community
We’re endlessly grateful to the incredible quinceañeras who shared their stories and led their families with pride, to the volunteers who made the day run seamlessly, and to the local vendors who brought Houston flavor to the celebration. You turned an idea into a movement, and made civic engagement look beautiful.
Together, se puede. Always.
Want to keep the movement growing?
Our culture has always been powerful, but movements only grow when we nurture them together. If this moment inspired you, help us keep it going. Your support fuels the next generation of young Latinas leading with corazón, culture, and courage.
Donate to Jolt Initiative and help us turn moments like Quince to the Polls into a movement that reaches every corner of Texas.