The Regional Director for Communities defended in Newark that the Azorean emigrant communities in the USA exercise their right to vote in U.S. elections. In this regard, the government official considered that this is an important "act of citizenship that contributes to the assertion and defence of the Azorean communities' interests in host countries."

"The greater number of registered Portuguese voters, the greater representativeness of our communities with U.S. policy-makers," Paulo Teves said, stressing that "the civic participation in various electoral acts widens and promotes the integration of Azorean emigrants."

Speaking at the annual meeting of the Portuguese American Citizenship Project (PACP), the Regional Director emphasised the work developed by this organisation in order to increasingly "raise the awareness for the importance of the role played by Portuguese communities, especially those from the Azores, in the development and progress of the United States."

Moreover, Paulo Teves stressed that the Government of the Azores, through the Regional Directorate for Communities, develops and supports initiatives intended to "stimulate and promote the integration of Azorean citizens in the host societies, thus contributing to the preservation and dissemination of the valuable Azorean cultural heritage."

The PACP was established in 1998 and is headquartered in the State of California. This body aims to increase the number of registered voters as well as of Portuguese voters emigrated in the United States of America.

Currently, this organisation works with 52 counterparts from several areas in 21 communities located in the states of California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island.
On Sunday, the Regional Director for Communities also visited the Azores Social and Sports Club, an association headquartered in Newark.

Founded 45 years ago, this institution is the only one of Azorean origin in the state of New Jersey, where it develops various activities to disseminate Azorean culture and promote the integration of Azorean emigrants.

With over five hundred members, the Azores Social and Sports Club annually organises, among other initiatives, the Holy Spirit Festivities and the Azorean Night. These events gather hundred of Azorean emigrants as well as Azorean descendants from various parts of the United States of America.