Pew Research reveals Latinos growing as a group, but political power is low

When viewed by the numbers, Latinos are becoming an important demographic in American politics. While Latinos have always been an important group in the American cultural tapestry, only recently have their collective numbers risen to make them a substantial political force. However, in the current, critical election cycle, they remain a small share of overall voters.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - A new Pew survey has measured the likely impact that Latino voters will have on the 2014 midterm elections. The answer is, not much.

Latinos have been an important voice in American politics since many were grouped into the Union by the formation of new states over 150 years ago. They have always been part of the fabric of the national cultural tapestry, but their portion has been small. It wasn't until recent decades that the Latino population has reached critical mass where they are able to exercise a collective will that finally must be acknowledged.

Keep Obama out of your email! Safe, Secure and Encrypted, check out the new Catholic Online email!

Today, candidates ignore the Latino vote at their peril. As of 2014, a record number of Latino voters are eligible to vote. The most recent Pew survey shows an estimated 25.2 million eligible Latino voters. That statistic counts all Latinos over the age of 18, who are eligible to vote.

However, despite this rising statistic, they form a small demographic when looking at key 2014 midterm races. The Pew survey shows they are significant in the House races, making 13.6 percent of the eligible voting population. However, the House is not predicted to change hands. In the more critical Senate, Latinos comprise less than 5 percent of the eligible voting population.

Still, many races are closer than 5 percent, so a coordinated Latino vote could make a difference.

Unfortunately, the number of eligible voters is not the same as those who will turn out. In fact, turn out for the coming election is expected to be very low, a fact which will favor Republicans who are energized at the possibility of taking the Senate.

Latinos also have a lower turnout rate than other groups. While nearly half of whites vote, as well as almost half of all blacks, less than a third of Latinos vote. Only Asians, as an ethnic group, vote in smaller numbers, and the difference between the two groups is only two-tenths of a percentage point.

The trends don't look good either. People of all ethnic groups are participating less. Only blacks are increasing their participation rate, a single bright spot in the overall data.

Although Latinos make an ever-increasing and rapidly-growing segment of the population, their impact at the polls is slipping because so few turn out to vote. This is a problem because it invites disenfranchisement. Politicians pander to those who will vote and make a difference to their chances. If Latinos do not demonstrate engagement with the democratic process, they are likely to be relegated to second-class status among their elected representatives.

From the Pew Report

Secret Archives of the Saints, Subscribe Today

Latino eligible voters in the Congressional districts:

  -  The 66 Congressional districts with at least 100,000 Latino eligible voters contain about half of all Latino eligible voters nationwide. In 49 of these districts, incumbents are Democrats.
  - The 157 Congressional districts with at least 50,000 Latino eligible voters contain about three-quarters of all Latino eligible voters nationwide. In 96 of these districts, incumbents are Democrats.
  - The districts with the five highest Hispanic eligible voter shares are California's 40th (77.6%), Texas's 34th (76.6%), Texas's 16th (73.5%), Texas's 15th (71.4%) and Texas's 28th (66.6%).
  - Texas's 16th district is the largest Congressional district by Latino eligible voter population, with 313,000 Latino eligible voters.

Latino eligible voters in the states:

   - More than two-thirds of Hispanic eligible voters live in just six states-California, Texas, Florida, New York, Arizona and Illinois.
   - At 40.1%, New Mexico has the highest Latino eligible voter share, followed by Texas (27.4%), California (26.9%), Arizona (20.3%) and Florida (17.1%).
   - Since 2006, the number of Hispanic eligible voters has grown fastest in South Carolina (up 126.2%), Tennessee (up 113.7%) and Alabama (up 110.5%).

The Demographics of Latino Eligible Voters

   - Three-quarters (74%) of Latino eligible voters are U.S. born and 26% are immigrants who hold U.S. citizenship.
   - Some 17% of Hispanic eligible voters hold a bachelor's degree or more. By comparison, 33% of white, 20% of black and 48% of Asian eligible voters hold a bachelor's degree or more.
   - Among Hispanic eligible voters, 60% are of Mexican origin, 13% Puerto Rican origin, 5% Cuban origin, 4% Dominican origin and 3% are of Salvadoran origin.

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'