The Power of the Latino Community in the United States and Puerto Rico
The Latino vote has become a pivotal factor for many political candidates, including the presidency. Estimates from the U.S. Census and the rapid expansion of the population have created a tidal wave of activities aimed at attracting the Hispanic vote across the nation. Since 1990, 1.5 million Latinos have naturalized. There are 6.6 million registered Latino voters across the nation. In California, Texas, Florida, Illinois and New York, five key electoral states, Latinos have emerged as powerful allies for candidates seeking office.
Like any voting group, Latinos are not easily categorized and voting patterns neatly generalized. However, several major factors play out as key decision-making variables: one's point of origin, length of time in United States, and income levels. Although Latinos share a common history of Spanish colonialism and similar nation building, they differ in political processes and agendas. Despite having citizenship, Puerto Ricans can vote in a presidential election only if they live on the mainland and establish residency. Cuban-Americans are concentrated in South Florida and tend to be conservative. Mexican-American voting patterns are very issue-oriented, divided according to income levels and generation.
La Voz de la Comunidad: LULAC Civic Participation Efforts
If you want to make sure that Latinos are protected and active in the 2012 Elections... Get Involved in LULAC's Voter Registration Campaign!
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Consider that at 50.5 million, the U.S. Latino population is already larger than the entire population of England and Spain. Latinos are not just large in population size, they have the double distinction of being the youngest and fastest-growing group in the nation... more...
The League of United Latin American Citizens, the oldest and largest Latino membership organization in the United States, filed suit today against the State of Texas challenging the manner in which redistricting for the United States House of Representatives, the State House of Representatives and the Texas State Board of Education have been drawn or will be drawn
View detailed population and housing data from the 2010 Census for each state..more...
News & Alerts
Feb 27, 2013
Today, LULAC stands alongside civil rights leaders in support of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA), as the nation’s highest court hears arguments in Shelby County v. Holder, a case challenging the constitutionality of the VRA...
Nov 6, 2012
As Latinos we must exercise our right to vote and make our voices heard on the critical issues that impact our community...
Sep 25, 2012
LULAC Voter Registration Campaign: The Future is in Your Hands: Vote!
