Will Hispanic Voters Make a Difference?

Will Hispanic voters make a difference was a recent e-mail question to Channel 9’s Sunday YOUR SHOW.

The first challenge is for Hispanic voters to perform up to their demographic potential. The census indicates they are about 20 percent of Colorado’s population, but in the 2010 election, they only made up 12 percent of the voter turnout.

Of course, they are a younger population and tend to be under registered. But even those eligible and registered tend to turn out less than Anglo voters.

Recent polling shows a fall off in support for President Obama among Hispanics. Obama carried 61 percent of Hispanic vote in Colorado in 2008 (69% nationally). Hispanics are a key part of the Obama coalition, and their level of support and turnout could make the difference in a close Colorado race.

See articles:
Washington Post: With Hispanic support for Obama waning, could Latino vote be up for grabs in 2012?
Denver Post: At stop in Denver, Obama calls self “warrior for the working class”