The Hispanic Vote

As with most demographics today, the Hispanic voting population has a small turn out in relation to their population size. Although this is the case, both Republicans and Democrats have acknowledged the large untapped voting population they make up. As of 2008, Hispanic Americans made up the largest minority group, 15.4% of the United States entire population, and this number has only continued to grow. Another statistic to show the drastic change in the growing Hispanic population can be shown by the decrease in Non-Hispanic White's overall make up of America's population. In 2000, Non-Hispanic Whites made up 70% of the United States total population, but in 2010 this number has dropped to 63.7%. The change in the under eighteen years old population is much more extreme in this context. One out of every five k-12 students are of Hispanic descent as well as one out of every four newborns. This information clearly shows an overall change in the make up of the American population.

So how do we handle this inevitable change. Republicans are fortunate that the Hispanic population does not come out in full force when election season comes around. Barack Obama received eighty percent of the minority vote in the last presidential election. Of this number, two-thirds were of the Hispanic population. Hot topics such as immigration reform and healthcare are keys to the Democrats retaining these votes. By having more relaxed and universal laws proposed on these popular issues, the Democrats have helped to seal the Hispanic vote. Both political parties continue to try and fight for the minority vote, but as of 2008 it is clear the Democrats are increasing their advantage over the Republicans.

Below is a video that shows the lack of connection between the Hispanic community and the Republican party.