Latinos Ready to Make the Difference in Battleground States
As the electoral map takes its final shape, we all know the contest inevitably will come down to a handful of states. Now, a new survey confirms that the outcome in some of those battleground states may be decided by Latino voters turning out in record numbers.
A poll of Latino registered voters released today by my organization, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund, shows strong support for Barack Obama in Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada, with an unusually close race in the typically Republican-leaning Latino community in Florida. But the poll also shows a significant percentage of Latino voters in those states are undecided and still open to persuasion.
In those four states, the survey finds tremendous enthusiasm among registered Latinos to cast ballots in November. Nearly 90% say they intend to vote on Election Day. Given the growing Latino electorate in states like Nevada, where 59,489 Latino voters have registered since 2004, high Latino turnout could determine the outcome.
To view the survey, click here.
According to the poll, Sen. Barack Obama leads Republican John McCain by wide margins among strong supporters: 63% - 15% in Colorado; 61% to 20% in New Mexico; and 55% to 14% in Nevada. In Florida, the battle for the Latino vote is a statistical tie at 38% for McCain and 35% for Obama, reflecting generational shifts and the changing composition of the Latino immigrant community there.
But significantly large numbers of Latino voters -- an average of around 20% in those states -- are either undecided or say their support for their chosen candidate is not strong, leaving them open to persuasion by the candidate who does the better job addressing their concerns. In Florida, about 25% of Latino voters may be persuadable, according to the poll.
What the survey reveals about Latino priorities is also interesting. The country has labored under the false assumption that immigration reform is the first -- some think the only -- issue Latinos care about.
In fact, as the survey reveals, Latino priorities are American priorities. Like the rest of the country, the economy is the top election issue for registered Latino voters, and it's easy to understand why. Nearly a third of respondents said they had trouble making their mortgage or rent payments at some point during the last twelve months.
Issues such as the war in Iraq, health care and immigration reform are also at the top of voters' minds.
And nearly a third believes there is no difference between the Republican and Democratic parties in their concern for Latinos, conveying both a challenge and opportunity to the parties and their leaders. The candidate who speaks most directly and effectively to the issues Latinos - and all Americans - care about will find himself in the White House in January.
[The bilingual telephone survey was commissioned by the NALEO Educational Fund (NALEO) working with the AARP and was conducted by the public opinion firm Latino. The firm surveyed 1,600 Latino registered voters drawn equally from official statewide voter files in the four states and has a margin of error of +/- 4.7% for each state.]
The NALEO Educational Fund is the leading organization that empowers Latinos to participate fully in the American political process, from citizenship to public service. The NALEO Educational Fund is a national non-profit, non-partisan organization whose constituency includes nearly 6,000 Latino elected and appointed officials nationwide.
Loading comments…
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
I can't believe Latinos in Fla are leaning towards McCAIN!
McCain and Palin seem racist. Racism doesn't always pertain to blacks, it also is practiced against Hispanics as well. I would think Obama knows the plight of minorities much better than a rich white out of touch guy like McCain. I don't get it, maybe some Fla Latino can come here explain their reason for preferring McCain.
You gotta remember the majority of Latinos in FL are Cuban. And Cubans are, for the most part, Republican. Even with the younger ones, it rubs off on them.
It's a sad day when we have to use terms like "latino" or "hispanics" and the biggest insult of all, the term "chicano" - My parents are both American, and obviously therefore so am I. It's my Irish grandparents on dads side and Mexican grandparents on my moms side that are responsible for my unique name. But what I will not do is to ever suggest that I am half Irish and half Mexican, I am not lation, I am an American. PERIOD!
But America is a nation of immigrants. That is part of what makes it great. People aren't less American just because they are Irish-American or Italian-American or African-American or Mexican-American. This nation is richer and stronger BECAUSE of the wide varieties of identities and origins that make up its citizenry.
As an American of Mexican ancestry, I vote Democrat because this is the party that caters more to the ideas and concepts of what I stand for. It does not stand for everything I stand for or agree with, but I favor the Democrat party over the gop.
The past few years have brought much discrimination against Latinos born here and abroad, a stigma that is uncalled for. Latinos realize that the only way to change this hatred from the gop rightwing kkk men is to vote against people like McCane and Palin, from gaining power.
To my proud Raza out there, register to vote, we will make a difference. Vote Obama-Biden for the President and VP of the United States.
This Latino family here in Far North Dallas, TX will gleefully vote Obama/Biden on Nov. 4th! We can't wait. Someone stole our sign (but we had more) and left a racist note in our car regarding Obama, but that makes the possibility of him winning that much better.
Basta!
Obama/Biden!
Kind of tight in Florida. But Cubans are not considered Latinos (no offense to the good Cubans out there).
This Latino from Nevada will vote 100% Democrat-Obama/Biden.
Growing up in a city in Colorado that is 68% spanish speaking Hispanic, I would love to see Colorado, New Mexico and Texas become blue states for Obama. He is working on the issues from the bottom up, and no trickle down theory. Texas is a hispanic majority. Colorado is right behind Texas. Ensure that the Hispanic voters know both candidate's policies and who is going to do the best for all Americans, not just Hispanic populations, and let them vote. blue states!
Sounds like we have some work to do in these communities. Certainly Obama's economic and health care plans would be more attractive to Latinos (just like anyone else).
"And nearly a third believes there is no difference between the Republican and Democratic parties in their concern for Latinos ..."
... which I can't understand. I really hope Mr. Obama can convey his message (com)passionately in the debate only hours away.
Here's a shout-out to all US Latinos: "Don't let the smear masters win!"
I dont' think the democrats have done a very good job of conveying their concern for Latinos.
Latinos are speaking out in all kinds of ways! Check out just for instance this great, funny anti-McCain ad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz4Z6L4u8E4
And I would emphasize that this ad is hardly specific to Latinos. It works because it captures a mood that's sweeping the whole country right about now. As you say, "Latino priorities are American priorities."
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or connect with
