Profile of Florida’s Latino voters show they are a force to be reckoned with

LatinaLista — It’s reported that Florida’s Latino Republicans make up 11 percent of the state’s registered voters. In the past, Latino Republicans’ wish lists were aligned with their party, but these are different times with candidates who either profess to know who Latino voters are or who make generalized assumptions.

Neither one is totally right.

Mural outside FL eatery showcases state's Latino diversity.

To clarify for everyone who are Florida Latino voters, the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) released today a profile of the state’s Latino constituents.

“Hispanic voters have historically played a significant role in the outcome of primary elections in the state of Florida, and this year will be no different” stated NALEO Educational Fund Executive Director Arturo Vargas. “Their vote is up for grabs, and they will be looking to the Republican Primary candidates to directly address their issues and concerns in the coming days.”

Some findings of the report are:

Florida Hispanics are:

Cuban American (29%)
Puerto Rican (20%)
Mexican American (15%)
Central American (10%)
Colombian American (7%)
Dominican (4%)

Hispanic population grew by 55% over a ten-year period.

Hispanic voter turnout in Florida’s Presidential elections grew from 678,000 in 2000 to 1.2 million in 2008, an increase of 81%.

Hispanics account for 13% of Florida’s registered voters.

Nearly four of ten Hispanics are Democrats (38%), 31% are Republican, and 29% are Decline to State. Hispanics are less likely to be affiliated with either of the two major parties than non-Hispanics. Nearly one of three Hispanics (31%) are registered as “Decline to State” or with some other party, compared to 22% of non-Hispanics.

As of January 2011, 158 Latino elected officials served in Florida, four of whom serve in the U.S. Congress. Most officials (88%) serve at the local level, including county, municipal, school board, judicial and law enforcement, and special district officials.

Category: Latino Vote 2012