The Latino Electorate: Profiles and Trends

Publication Date: January 2007

Publisher: National Council of La Raza

Author(s): Clarissa Martinez De Castro; Lindsay Daniels; Clarissa Martinez De Castro; Lindsay Daniels

Research Area: Politics

Keywords: Hispanic population; Voter registration; Youth voters; Party affiliation

Type: Report

Coverage: United States United States

Abstract:

This statistical brief provides a profile of the Latino vote, an examination of Latino voting behavior in past presidential elections and the 2006 midterm election, and recommendations for stakeholders to increase Hispanic participation in the electoral process. Future briefs in this series will take a closer look at new and emerging community-based approaches for increasing the size of this electorate and at Latino voter perspectives on various issues. While the Latino vote has generated much attention and debate in recent election cycles, there is still substantial confusion about the Hispanic electorate, including current size and future potential, its partisan affiliations (or lack thereof), and strategies that candidates, political parties, and nonpartisan advocates could employ to increase this population’s participation in the electoral process.