The Latino population in Nevada is growing, but their political participation is still lower than that of other groups, highlighting untapped potential.
Jose Solorio has lived in Nevada for over 40 years and believes that political campaigns have never really resonated with the Latino community in the state. Solorio, a 65-year-old lobbyist and community advocate, emphasizes that the Latino community has varying voting patterns based on migration experience, age, and Spanish proficiency.
Despite former President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric and promise of mass deportations, Latino voter support for his campaign has remained steady. Vice President Kamala Harris, on the other hand, has been consolidating Latino support after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race.
Both Democrats and Republicans will need to engage these voters to secure victory in November, as they represent nearly one in five registered voters in the state. Data shows that the growth of the Latino voting-age population has outpaced the general population in Nevada, particularly in the Las Vegas Valley.
David Damore, a political science professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, emphasizes that reaching Latino voters will require more than just TV ads. The Latino population has grown significantly in recent years, with over 23% of Clark County residents of voting age being Latino in 2022, up from 14% in 2009.
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. Despite the increase in the Latino population in the state, their representation in elected offices lags behind.
In presidential elections since 2008, Latinos in Nevada have voted and registered at lower rates than African American and white voters. However, there is untapped potential among Latino voters, especially younger ones, who tend to have more volatile voting patterns.
Young voters are drawn to candidates who energize them and utilize platforms like TikTok to engage with them. The data underscores the growing power of Latino voters in states without a defined partisan trend, such as Nevada.
As the election approaches, both parties are focusing on capturing these crucial votes to secure victory. The Latino community’s potential remains untapped, and engaging them effectively will be key in the upcoming election.
