The Mexican American Political Association (MAPA) grew out of the struggles and difficult experiences of thousands of Mexican-Americans throughout California who strived to elect representatives from their communities to state and local government. In 1960, 150 politically active Mexican-Americans met in Fresno to form MAPA, a nonpartisan political organization that pledged allegiance to any responsive party or candidate who endorsed and actively supported the aims and purposes of MAPA. Its aims were the following: the educational, social, political, and economic betterment of Mexican-Americans and other Spanish-speaking Americans through political action; greater representation of Mexican-Americans in public office; taking unwavering positions on political issues; sustaining voter registration; providing political education; and encouraging participation in both major parties.

The Mexican American Political Association Papers document the creation, communications, meetings, and early governance of the Mexican American Political Association. It consists of correspondence, meeting minutes, memos, reports, financial records, rosters, programs, articles of incorporation, bylaws, endorsements, statements, press releases, financial records, agendas, speeches, certificates, and ephemera. Many records are addressed to Julius Castelan, who acted as MAPA’s State Treasurer and succeeded Edward Roybal as President in 1962.

Collection folders are arranged chronologically.