TL/DR –
Latinos, who make up a third of Arizona’s population, are a focal point in the 2024 elections, with an estimated 855,000 expected to vote. Efforts to get them to the polls include multimillion-dollar TV and digital ad campaigns and door-to-door canvassing, as polls show Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump neck-and-neck, with Trump gaining among Latino men. Groups such as Mi Familia Vota are also working to encourage voter turnout, aiming to knock on more than 3.25 million homes in Arizona before Election Day.
Latino Voters in Arizona: A Game-Changer in the High-Stakes Election
Arizona’s Latino population is under the spotlight in this year’s pivotal election. With an estimated 17.5 million Latinos projected to vote across the US, this demographic could be decisive, particularly in key battleground states such as Texas, California, Florida, New York, Nevada and Arizona, as per the NALEO Educational Fund.
In Arizona, where Latinos make up a third of the state’s population, over 855,000 are anticipated to vote. As a result, extensive resources are being deployed to mobilize Latino voters, including aggressive TV and digital ad campaigns and grassroots efforts.
Efforts to engage Latino voters are intensifying due to the tight race between Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, with Trump gaining ground among Latino men.
Local Groups Amplifying Outreach
Beyond the presidential race, local groups are rigorously working to activate the Latino vote. Abortion-rights groups and Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, contesting in the U.S Senate race, are among those making concerted efforts to woo Latino voters.
Organizations like Mi Familia Vota and LUCHA are deploying a host of paid workers and volunteers to maximize outreach efforts. The coalition aims to reach 3.25 million homes in Arizona before Election Day.
Ground-Level Efforts to Mobilize Latino Vote
Grassroots campaigners like Genesis Corral and Jessie Wickersham of Mi Familia Vota are working tirelessly to encourage Latino participation in the election. Despite the challenging conditions, they remain undeterred, striving for better representation of their community.
Their interactions with voters reveal concerns about housing affordability, good paying jobs, and the cost of groceries, among other issues.
The Significance of Latino Voters
The significance of every single vote was underscored in the recent Democratic primary in Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District, where Yassamin Ansari edged out Raquel Terán by just 39 votes.
Despite the onslaught of campaign trail messages, immigration or border security surprisingly wasn’t a top concern among Latino voters.
Competing for the Latino Vote
By mid-September, the Harris campaign had spent around $7 million on Spanish ads in key states, including Arizona, outspending Trump who reportedly spent $412,000. A further investment might be necessary to overcome Trump’s slight advantage in Arizona, according to recent polls.
Regardless of poll results, it’s clear that the Latino vote is pivotal, and both campaigns are leaving no stone unturned to win their support.
—
Read More US Media News