More than one in four Hispanic voters will be voting for the first time in the upcoming general election, a new poll finds.
According to polling data compiled by UnidosUS and BSP Research, 26% of Latinos in Texas say they will vote in their first presidential election this year.
“The message that comes from that is that if both political parties think they are at some level committed to investing in Latino communities, it has to be an ongoing process,” said Gary Segunda of BSP Research. stated in a public opinion poll. Briefing on Tuesday.
According to Segunda, the percentage of new voters since 2016 is 38%. This takes into account new voters in the 2020 general election, where about 12% of Latino voters cast their ballots for the first time.
“The average age of the community is very young, so new voters make up a large portion of the electorate in any election,” Segunda said.
courtesy
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UnidosUS/BSP Research
New data from a UnidosUS/BSP survey shows 38% of Hispanic voters have cast their first or second ballot.
presidential politics
When it comes to presidential preferences, Vice President Kamala Harris has a commanding lead over former President Donald Trump, with 57% of Latinos saying they would vote for Harris and 34% saying they would vote for Trump. is answering. About 9% of Hispanic voters in Texas said they were undecided or would vote for a third party.
Segunda said young voters (18 to 39 years old) are one of the least enthusiastic groups to vote in the general election. Fifty-one percent of young Latino voters said they would definitely vote, while 29% said they might or might not vote.
“That’s something we have to keep in mind, because a lot of the young people we talk to in the field — whether they’re newly registered voters or college-age voters — their Because a lot of them are saying, “They don’t feel connected to either party,” Dayana Iza Presas, Texas state director of the advocacy group Mi Familia Vota, said at a news conference.
What Latinos care about
The poll also found that the top three issues that concern Latinos include inflation, jobs, and immigration. Segunda said this is largely consistent with key issues for Latinos and non-Latinos across the country.
“Hispanic voters in Texas are focused on living a good life, from pocketbooks to health care to immigration, regardless of their background or origin,” said Eric Holguin, UnidosUS Texas state director. speak “Hispanic voters want our leaders to work hand-in-hand with their communities on real solutions instead of playing partisan politics.”
But opinion polls show inconsistent support between the two major parties. More than half (52%) of Hispanic voters in Texas say they have not heard from either party about voting in the next election.
“What’s shocking to me is that both parties are investing significant resources to get Hispanic voters to the polls, as they are the second largest voting district in the nation and the second largest in Texas.” “We have failed, and we are failing significantly.” Segunda.
Segunda said the poll did not include data on how the state’s rapid population growth may affect Hispanic voters.
“Certainly, population growth will intuitively increase housing costs and rents,” Segunda said. “It depends on where people come from.”
Pablo Arauz Peña is KERA’s growth and infrastructure reporter. Any tips? Email Pablo at parauzpena@kera.org. You can follow him at X @pabloaarauz.
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