Preparing for the Most Diverse Electorate

Much of the growth in Latino voters is coming from a younger population, born in the U.S. and now eligible to vote for the first time. Of the nearly 11 million new eligible voters today, more than two-thirds have come from traditionally underrepresented groups. Latinos make up a large amount of the increase. The steady decline among non-Hispanic white eligible voters is being attributed to the aging population of baby boomers.

Growing concern over the candidates in this election cycle is causing those who have been underrepresented to be more engaged, Martinez says. “I think there is a lot of fear, especially in Latino communities that have close ties to immigrant communities,” she says. “There’s definitely a concern that if, for example, Donald Trump were elected, some policies that they’ve been able to benefit from might be changed or go away.”

Historically, even with mobilization efforts, it has been difficult to attract younger minorities to come out and vote. Once again, that’s a concern come this November. “I don’t get the sense that there is the same level of excitement as there was in 2008,” Martinez says. “President Obama was all about change and hope, so it was a very hopeful, forward-looking message. Versus now, whether you are leaning toward Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, it’s more of a message of, ‘elect me because you don’t want the other person,’ which is not very hopeful for a lot of people.”