Latino Voters Lag at the Polls

Newly released data from the 2010 census shows that America's Latino population grew almost nine times faster than the non-Latino population, growing from 35 million in 2000 to 50 million in 2010. However, analysis of the census and elections date by the Pew Hispanic Center reveals that Latinos still do not contribute proportionately to the elections process.

LOS ANGELES, CA. (Catholic Online) In last fall's election, 7 percent of the voters were Latino, while comprising 16 percent of the population. The Pew study reveals the divide between the number of eligible voters and those that vote is widening.

Part of the issue is the relative youth of the Latino population. Young people tend to shun voting, and although an estimated 600,000 US-born Latinos per year turn 18 and become eligible to vote, few of them actually do. Even less vote in the midterm elections.

This statistic rates lower than the percentages of white and black voters who's numbers are higher. Nearly half of all eligible whites and approximately 44 percent of all blacks voted.

While the percentages tell one story, the numbers themselves tell another. Between 2006 and 2010, the number of Latinos actually voting increased by 16.6 percent. By contrast, the number of whites actually voting declined by 3.8 percent during the same period.

These numbers are important to political observers since race has some correlation to how people vote. In last November's house elections, 60 percent of Latinos voted Democratic compared to 37 percent of whites who did. During the last presidential election, Barack Obama won two-thirds of the Latino vote.

As President Obama prepares his reelection bid, analysts are looking at key states with rapidly rising Latino populations, focusing on Arizona, Florida, Nevada, and Virginia. It is anticipated that Obama may gain ground with voters in those states. His opponents will do everything they can to ensure that he does not.  

Based on the data analysis it is predicted that if the Democrats make a strong effort to register Latino votes in those states, Obama's campaign will benefit substantially. Of course, Republicans are working equally as hard to register Latino voters and gaining ground.

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