Latino Population Growth and Political Participation in Nevada
The Latino population in Nevada is on the rise, but their political participation still lags behind other groups, highlighting untapped potential. Jose Solorio, a 65-year-old lobbyist and community advocate who has lived in Nevada for over 40 years, notes that political campaigns have struggled to resonate with the state’s Latino community. He emphasizes that Latinos have diverse voting patterns based on their migration experience, age, and Spanish proficiency.
Solorio points out, “This is the issue: People want the Latino vote, but they don’t know how to get it. They need to reach out to us in different ways.” Despite the anti-immigrant rhetoric from former President Donald Trump and his promise of mass deportations, Latino voter support for his campaign has remained steady. Vice President Kamala Harris has faced criticism over the surge of migrants at the southern border but continues to garner Latino support following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race.
Impact of Latino Voters in the 2024 Elections
As Democrats and Republicans gear up for the upcoming elections, winning over Latino voters will be crucial. Latinos represent nearly one in five registered voters in Nevada, making them a significant electoral bloc. Data shows that the growth of the Latino voting-age population has outpaced the general population in Nevada, particularly in the Las Vegas Valley. However, a significant Census survey indicates that Latinos tend to register and vote at lower rates than African Americans and whites, indicating untapped electoral potential.
David Damore, a political science professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and co-author of a book on the Latino population in Nevada, emphasizes that reaching Latino voters requires more than just TV ads. Fernando Romero, a longtime advocate for Hispanics in Politics and UNLV graduate, reflects on the growth of the Latino community in Nevada. He notes that while the community has expanded significantly, political representation has not kept pace with this growth.
Challenges and Opportunities for Latino Political Engagement
Despite the increasing Latino population in Nevada, their level of representation in elected offices remains lagging. In recent years, the number of Latino voters in Nevada has seen a substantial increase, surpassing the national growth rate for Latinos. The Clark County, the state’s population center, has witnessed a significant rise in the Latino voting-age population, highlighting the community’s growing influence in the region.
Lisa Sanchez, a political science professor at the University of Arizona, attributes this trend to internal migration patterns within the U.S. and the aging of young Latinos into eligible voters. She explains, “Latinos have slightly higher birth rates, resulting in a younger population. As they have more children, these kids are becoming voters.” Despite the demographic shift, Latinos in Nevada continue to face challenges in political representation and electoral engagement.
In presidential elections since 2008, Latino voter registration and turnout in Nevada have consistently fallen below rates for African American and white voters. However, there remains untapped potential among Latino voters due to their youthfulness and dynamic voting patterns. Young Latino voters tend to favor presidential candidates who energize and mobilize them, utilizing platforms like TikTok to engage with younger audiences.
The growing power of Latino voters in states without a defined partisan trend, such as Nevada, underscores the importance of appealing to this demographic. Sanchez highlights the impact of these voters in swing states like Nevada, where a small margin of votes can determine the election outcome. Both political parties are increasingly focusing on winning over Latino voters to secure their support in future elections.
