Las Vegas ( CNN ) -- Mirna Castaneda pays close attention to the instructor showing her the best way to make a bed . `` This crest is very important '' said the instructor in Spanish as Castaneda makes a double fold on the upper edge of the white bedsheets , then carefully tops it with a few pillows . It 's not as if Castaneda does n't know how to make a bed that a Las Vegas visitor can gleefully climb into after a day -- - or night -- out on the town . She has already spent five years working at different hotels , but this training is required for her new job this time as a member of the Culinary Workers Union . `` They offer really good benefits I did n't have before and the pay is also better , '' she said . Her training takes place at the union 's Culinary Training Academy , where job seekers learn everything needed to work on the Strip , from loading a dishwasher to vacuuming floors and waiting tables to the finer details of gourmet cooking . It also provides the experience required by the hotels and casinos . Completion of the course at the academy is the equivalent of one year of experience on the job . Why Nevada 's Latino vote could make the difference in the 2012 election . That makes all the difference in the world for people like Jazmin Rivera , 21 , who is hoping to land a job as a busboy . She says she has had a hard time finding a job since her employment as a census worker ended last year . But for Castaneda and Rivera , their union membership could provide more than a steady job with benefits . They could be getting a political education , too . `` We spend almost a full year before the election making sure all of our members are registered to vote , '' said Yvanna Cancela , the political director for the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 . Cancela said the union also encourages and assists in navigating the citizenship process for members who qualify . That is a big deal for the Latino members of the union , who according to Cancela make up more than 35 % of the Las Vegas membership . As it did in most states , the Hispanic population exploded in Nevada over the past decade . According to the census , 26 % of the more than 2.7 million state residents have Latino heritage . Both parties rolling the dice in Nevada . With the strength in numbers comes political muscle . State politicians are locked in a battle to draw new congressional districts that best reflect Latino representation . Democrats favor spreading Hispanics into three districts , arguing that would give them more clout in more places . Republicans , led by Gov . Brian Sandoval , want a Hispanic majority district , saying the time has come for Latinos to have a better chance of sending one of their own to represent them in Washington . The process is now in the hands of a three-person panel appointed by a federal judge and charged with solving the stalemate . Latinos are already making their mark in politics . They are credited with saving the seat of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid , a Democrat , in the midterm elections . They helped then-Sen. Barack Obama beat Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Nevada presidential primary . Cuban-born Griselda Marino is one of those who caucused for President Obama . `` It was very interesting to participate , especially for someone like me who came from another country and had different views of the political process , '' she said . Marino joined the union 13 years ago , two years after she arrived in the United States . She said the union helped her register to vote as soon as she became a U.S. citizen . `` It is a great responsibility we all have , especially those who came from other countries , because we have to make sure our voice is also heard , '' she said . Marino said she hopes her example inspires people like Castaneda , who is more focused on getting health insurance for her family than thinking about who is running for office . `` I keep politics on the side , '' Castaneda said . Marino and the members of Local 226 will have a chance to flex their political muscle in January when Nevada holds one of the earlier caucuses in the presidential selection process . It could also be a preview of the role the Latino vote will have in November 2012 .
Universities in the US play dual roles for many Latinos : professional training and political activism . They have helped members find the path to full citizenship . Republicans , Democrats are battling over who gets to represent the fastest growing U.S. group .