Hispanic and Latino Americans in politics: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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{{Hispanic and Latino Americans|right}}

[[Latino Americans]] have received a growing share of the national vote in the [[United States]] due to their increasing population. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, 62.1 million Latinos live in the United States, representing 18.9% of the total U.S. population.<ref name="Profile: Hispanic/Latino Americans">{{cite web |title=Profile: Hispanic/Latino Americans |url=https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=3&lvlid=64 |website=https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/}}</ref> This is a 23% increase since 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 Census Illuminates Racial and Ethnic Composition of the Country |url=https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/08/improved-race-ethnicity-measures-reveal-united-states-population-much-more-multiracial.html |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=Census.gov}}</ref> This racial/ethnic group is the second largest after non-Hispanic whites in the U.S. In 2020, the states with the highest Hispanic or Latino populations were; Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Texas.<ref name="Profile: Hispanic/Latino Americans"/> According to the Brookings Institute, Latinos will become the nations largest minority by 2045 and the deciding population in future elections.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frey |first=William H. |date=2018-03-14 |title=The US will become 'minority white' in 2045, Census projects |url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2018/03/14/the-us-will-become-minority-white-in-2045-census-projects/ |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=Brookings |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |lastlast1=Nov 10 |last2=Releases |first2=2022 {{!}} News |last3=Rights |first3=Public Policy: Voting |title=Latinos Prove Decisive In Critical 2022 Midterms {{!}} MALDEF |url=https://www.maldef.org/2022/11/latinos-prove-decisive-in-critical-2022-midterms/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |language=en-US}}</ref> With the help of laws and court case wins, Latinos have been able to receive the help needed to participate in American Politics. According to data provided by The Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey (CMPS), 72% of Latinos believe that it is very/somewhat important to get their voice heard by voting.<ref name="Latino Politics in America: Communi">{{cite book|title=Latino Politics in America: Community, Culture, and Interests |chapter=Chapter 6 Latino Political Participation |authors=Garcia, John A. and Gabriel Ramon Sanchez, 2021}}</ref> They have traditionally been a key [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] constituency,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/americas/2000/us_elections/hispanic_vote/1003642.stm |title=The Latino challenge |access-date=2008-05-16 |last=Munoz Jr |first=Carlos |date=2 November 2000 |publisher=[[BBC]] Website}}</ref> but more recently have begun to split<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/28/us/politics/border-grievance-politics.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article|title=How Immigration Politics Drives Some Hispanic Voters to the G.O.P. in Texas |access-date=2022-05-02 |last=Medina |first=Jennifer |date=1 March 2022 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> between the Democratic and [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/18/opinion/democratic-party-latino-voters.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article |title=Latino Voters Are Key to 2024, and They're Not Always Buying What Democrats Are Selling |access-date=2022-05-02 |last=Cadava |first=Geraldo |date=18 January 2022 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/3270602-hispanics-are-abandoning-biden-in-droves-heres-why/ |title=Hispanics are abandoning Biden in droves. Here's why |access-date=2022-05-02 |last=Concha |first=Joe |date=17 April 2022 |newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/3471496-minorities-are-finding-a-new-political-home-with-the-republican-party/ |title=Minorities are finding a new political home with the Republican Party |access-date=2022-05-02 |last=McDaniel |first=Ronna |date=29 April 2022 |newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref> Since the Latino population is large and diverse, a lot of political differences exist between gender, national origin, and generational groups.

== Legal Background ==

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<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Valdez |first=Zulema |date=2011-04-15 |title=Political Participation Among Latinos in the United States: The Effect of Group Identity and Consciousness* |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6237.2011.00778.x |journal=Social Science Quarterly |volume=92 |issue=2 |pages=466–482 |doi=10.1111/j.1540-6237.2011.00778.x |issn=0038-4941}}</ref> The paucity of Latinos in the political process is a consequence not only of social barriers, but also of structural impediments that hinder access to education, wealth and resources. Native individuals are traditionally underrepresented in higher learning establishments which results in their inability to be competitive candidates as they lack educational backgrounds. Additionally, continued economic disparities experienced by Latino communities make it difficult for them to fundraise or build assistance necessary for campaigning.

Multiple demographic hurdles, including language obstacles and voter registration impediments, often render Latinos underrepresented in the political process. Moreover, district lines are frequently drawn to favor non-Latino populations which only further curtails Latino engagement with candidates and understanding of critical matters.<ref>{{Citation |title=Black Like Who? Afro-Caribbean Immigrants, African Americans, and the Politics of Group Identity |date=2006-04-24 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511606694.007 |work=Afro-Caribbean Immigrants and the Politics of Incorporation |pages=170–202 |access-date=2023-04-24 |publisher=Cambridge University Press|doi=10.1017/cbo9780511606694.007 |isbn=9780521859226 }}</ref> Consequently, immigration status can be a roadblock for many Latinos who just want to have their voice heard through voting at election time.

Despite these issues, some institutional factors can help increase Latino representation. For example, legislative term limits can give more people a chance to run for office, thereby enhancing diversity in government representation. Furthermore, rising Latino-led interest groups have helped Latinos have a stronger political voice and advocate for their communities' policies.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Evans |first=Ethan J |date=2018-09-12 |title=Get Out the Vote: Social Work and the Midterm Elections |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/hsw/hly029 |journal=Health &amp; Social Work |volume=43 |issue=4 |pages=213–216 |doi=10.1093/hsw/hly029 |pmid=30215700 |issn=0360-7283}}</ref> Additionally, there has been an increase in Latino-based organizations that help build the skills necessary to run for office and provide resources to those who do.

== Political ideology ==