cover of episode A 'Realignment' Among Latino Voters

A 'Realignment' Among Latino Voters

2024/11/14
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FiveThirtyEight Politics

Key Insights

Why did Latino voters shift to the right in the 2024 election?

Economic concerns, particularly inflation and migration crises, played a significant role. Trump's perceived focus on the economy and his persona as a decisive leader resonated with Latino voters, especially men and younger voters. Social dynamics also played a part, with Trump's growing support among Latinos making it more socially acceptable to vote Republican.

How did Trump's approach to immigration influence Latino voters?

Trump reframed immigration as a law and order issue, which helped him gain support among Latino voters who were concerned about the border crisis. However, if Trump's administration moves to mass deportations, there could be a backlash similar to the family separation policy.

What challenges do pollsters face when capturing the opinion of the Latino electorate?

Online polling struggles to accurately represent Spanish-speaking and non-college-educated Latinos. Live phone polling is more effective but still challenging due to low response rates and the need to model data. Additionally, the high volatility of Latino voters, with many irregular voters and new registrants, complicates predictions.

What does the increasing political power of Latinos mean for American politics?

Latinos are becoming a more significant swing vote, influencing election outcomes. Their high degree of dynamism and varying turnout rates mean both parties must focus on mobilization and persuasion. Latino power is not just a future prospect but a present reality shaping elections.

How did Trump's persona contribute to his appeal among Latino voters?

Trump's celebrity status and his persona as a businessman and outsider who shakes things up resonated with voters who don't closely follow politics. His tough-guy image and perceived decisiveness contrasted with the technocratic approach of previous administrations, appealing to a sense of economic values and a desire for someone who understands their struggles.

Chapters

The discussion begins with an overview of the significant shift among Latino voters towards the right in the 2024 election, with data suggesting an 8-point shift according to AP VoteCast and a 14-point swing according to Edison exit polls.
  • Latino voters showed an 8-point shift to the right according to AP VoteCast.
  • Edison exit polls indicated a 14-point swing towards Trump.
  • The geographic election data shows 86 Hispanic-majority counties were 13 points more Republican than in 2020.

Shownotes Transcript

Latino voters made a big jump to the right this election cycle. While the numbers aren’t final, AP Votecast reports an 8-point shift and Edison exit polls indicate more than a 14-point swing.

Carlos Odio, co-founder of Equis Research, joins us on the podcast to unpack why Latino voters shifted right. He discusses the importance of issues like the economy and immigration, Trump’s appeal and how Latino voters have emerged as one of the nation’s most prominent swing groups.

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