Latino Voters Feel Used by Politicians, Survey Shows: Axios/Harris Poll

Title: Latino Voters Feel Used as Political Pawns, Survey Shows

An overwhelming majority of Latino voters in a recent survey expressed feeling used as pawns by politicians who do not genuinely care about them. The Axios Vibes survey by The Harris Poll, conducted online from July 10-12, revealed that 80% of Latino respondents feel this way.

This sentiment is significant as Latino voters are a crucial and rapidly growing part of the electorate. Both political parties have faced criticism for their poor engagement efforts and for neglecting issues that Hispanics deem important, such as inflation and personal economics.

Conservative political analyst Alfonso Aguilar emphasized during an Axios event on Latino voters that the era of pandering to Latinos is over. He stated that the Hispanic electorate is more sophisticated and wants to hear about ideas rather than outdated stereotypes.

Harris Poll CEO John Gerzema noted that the survey demonstrates Latino voters’ awareness of their political power and their desire to be heard and understood. Democrats have historically engaged more with Latinos than Republicans, but the GOP has been making gains with Hispanic voters in recent years.

As the 2024 election cycle unfolds, both parties are ramping up their efforts to connect with Latino voters. Democrats are investing millions in ads and outreach programs highlighting economic advancements and abortion rights under the Biden administration. Meanwhile, the GOP is focusing on consistent messaging on the economy and border security.

Latino voters are expected to play a pivotal role in swing states like Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. However, voter turnout among Latinos has not always been consistent, with the lowest turnout rate of all racial and ethnic groups recorded in the 2020 election.

The survey results underscore the importance of genuine engagement and meaningful dialogue with Latino voters, who are increasingly demanding to be heard and understood by politicians. Subscribe to Axios Latino for more vital news about Latinos and Latin America delivered to your inbox on Tuesdays and Thursdays.