Latino Voters

Latinos are a rising force in U.S. politics. At more than 62 million people, they are now the largest U.S. minority group — encompassing almost one in five Americans — and growing. Latinos are voting in record numbers, casting almost 17 million ballots in 2020, the highest level of Latino voter participation in U.S. history. In response, both political parties have stepped up efforts to appeal to Latinos. While most Latinos have historically voted Democratic, Republicans have made big strides recently, leading some to ask whether a realignment is taking place. They note that Donald Trump improved his standing among Latino voters in 2020 over his 2016 level. In congressional races, Republicans are recruiting Latino candidates and mounting challenges in key Democratic districts. Others say the voting shift has been minor and does not signal a significant trend for the future. The midterm election in November will be a bellwether for where Latino voters place their loyalties ahead of 2024 and beyond.