A national survey promoted by several organizations in the United States shows that the economy, the abortion law, migration and climate change were some of the concerns that led Latinos with the right to vote to participate in the midterm elections.
“(The poll) shows that the top issue for Latino voters is addressing inflation and the rising cost of living. Although, at a general level, Latino voters support the policies of the (Joe) Biden government, they want that inflation to be addressed, ”explains Kim Kilps-Ascencio, an analyst at BSP Researcha company specializing in the analysis of Hispanic voters in the United States, in statements to the voice of america.
The sample, which collected the opinion of 5,400 Hispanics at the polls, also addresses, in addition to the concern about the situation due to the fear of a recession, the issue of reproductive rights in the country, migration, climate change and the political polarization that exists in the American union, issues that are part of the list of priorities for the Hispanic community in the country, which represents 19% percent of the population.
wins by narrow margin
Precisely in the face of such tight results between Democrats and Republicans, minorities, such as Hispanics, can end up making a difference and tilt the balance of power to one side or the other, just as the election forecasts warned.
According to Clarissa Martínez de Castro, vice president of UnidosUS, “Hispanic voters confirmed their fundamental role in shaping the country’s politics and are sending a wake-up call to both parties.”
“Although the polls show that the majority of Latinos see their values more aligned with the Democratic positions, in the face of inflation and inequality, the Republicans have been gaining some ground (among the voters of that community)”, he added. Martinez de Castro to the VOA.
Along these lines, he points out that “Hispanic voters nationwide largely reflected their historical pattern of two-thirds supporting Democrats and one-third supporting Republicans,” so, in his opinion, “Democrats have ample space to solidify and expand Hispanic support”, although the blue caucus should “involve Hispanic voters even more and strengthen their economic message” in light of the issues that most concern this community.
The study was sponsored by America’s Voice, Climate Power, First Nations Development Institute, The Immigration Hub, Indivisible, Latino Community Foundation, My Family Votes Fund, Planned Parenthood, Action Fund, RuralOrganizing.org, SEIU, UnidosUS Y Vote The Participation Center.
Gabriel R. Sánchez, vice president of research at BSP Research, also points out that, by way of conclusion, it can be stated that “the data shows that approximately two-thirds of Latino voters supported the Democrats in all states, with the exception of Florida ”, where the Republican options won by a very loose majority.
“Nationally, Latinos voted Democrat by a 2-to-1 margin and provided the margin of victory in many critical state elections across the country, from Gabe Vazquez in New Mexico to John Fetterman in Pennsylvania. In Florida we saw a majority of Latinos voting Republican, similar to past cycles, and that is a reminder of the diversity of the Latino electorate and the importance of outreach for both campaigns,” says Sánchez.
Taking into account the increase in the support of the Latino vote for the most conservative options, a trend that had not been seen so clearly until now, the expert maintains that “the data shows that Latino voters generally support the policies of the Biden administration,” But he warns that they are “understandably frustrated and concerned about inflation.”
However, Jacqueline Martínez Garcel, general director of the Latino Community Foundation, defends that “with more than 34 million eligible voters, Latinos will continue to be a critical factor in national elections.” “After every vote is counted, our newly elected officials must continue to engage our communities on the issues that matter most to them,” she adds.
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