As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches, scheduled for November 5th, a significant portion of American voters, including Latino voters, remain undecided on whom to support. Both Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris are vying for their votes, as Latinos represent an important ethnic group within the U.S. electorate and form a critical voting bloc, not just in swing states but across the entire country. This has made Latino voters a focus for both Democratic and Republican campaigns due to their potential to influence the election outcome.
Impact of Latino Voters
Latinos make up approximately 20% of the overall voting population in the United States, but this critical voting bloc remains undecided between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. This has led to a discussion about the extent of their influence in the election and the efforts by both candidates to attract their support.
Despite the common belief that Latinos traditionally vote for the Democratic Party, in recent years, some Latino voters have shifted toward the Republican Party, believing that Republicans better understand and address their concerns. For instance, in the 2022 midterm elections, 68% of Latino voters under the age of 30 supported Democratic candidates. However, weeks before the upcoming 2024 election, 37% of these young voters now feel that Democrats are not paying enough attention to the Latino community.
In May, a YouGov poll revealed that 43% of Latino voters said they would vote for Trump if the presidential election were held then. However, after Biden withdrew and Harris became the Democratic candidate, she gained ground over Trump. A poll conducted by Axios showed Harris leading Trump among Latinos with 61% to 35%, and another poll by the New York Times indicated a similar lead for Harris with 55% compared to Trump’s 41%.
Kamala Harris’ Appeal to Latino Voters
Kamala Harris has intensified her efforts to attract Latino voters in order to boost her chances against Trump. She delivered a passionate speech to hundreds of Latino leaders at the 47th Annual Hispanic Caucus Institute Presidential Conference on September 18, stating: “I truly believe America is ready to turn the page on politics of division and hatred. Our nation depends on the leaders here; your strength and activism. Each of us has a mission to fulfill.” This reflects her strategy to rally Latino support by promoting unity.
In addition, Harris has introduced economic programs targeting Latinos, promising to raise the minimum wage and eliminate taxes on tips for workers in the service and hospitality sectors. These promises have garnered her support, such as from the Culinary Workers Union in Nevada, which has 60,000 members, 54% of whom are of Latino origin.
Republican Outreach to Latinos
On the other hand, Donald Trump has launched new advertising campaigns aimed at attracting Latino voters. He accused President Biden’s administration, and by extension Harris, of neglecting Latinos in the U.S., claiming that Harris would implement failed communist policies similar to those in Cuba and Venezuela.
Key Issues for Latino Voters
Several issues are crucial to Latino voters and will likely influence whom they support in the upcoming election. These concerns primarily revolve around domestic policies.
1. Immigration:
Immigration tops the list of concerns for Latino voters and will play a significant role in determining whether they support Harris or Trump. As the election nears, Trump has attacked both legal and illegal immigrants in the U.S., labeling them as terrorists and vowing to rid the country of them during a speech in Ohio. Meanwhile, Harris has continued her efforts to attract minority votes, including those of Latinos, warning against mass deportations of immigrants. In her speech at the Hispanic Caucus conference, Harris emphasized that the U.S. could balance securing borders with treating immigrants humanely. As a result, Latinos are expected to lean toward the candidate who best addresses these issues.
2. Abortion:
Abortion is a critical issue for Latina women voters. Kamala Harris has pledged to sign a bill restoring the protections of the “Roe v. Wade” decision, and she pointed out that 40% of Latina women live in states where abortion is banned. Conversely, Trump has advocated for restricting and banning abortion, making him the target of Harris’ criticism over the steps some states have taken to limit abortion access. These positions are likely to sway Latina voters toward the candidate who aligns with their needs.
3. The Economy:
The economy is a top priority for Latino voters, who will vote for the candidate offering better job opportunities. Harris has promised to focus on what she calls an “opportunity economy,” which includes lowering housing costs and taxes. Trump, on the other hand, has vowed to implement a reciprocal tariff policy against countries that impose high taxes on American products. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, 45% of Latino voters favor Trump’s approach to handling the economy, compared to 36% for Harris. However, the recent Federal Reserve decision to lower interest rates could work in Harris’ favor, as it may reduce housing costs, inflation, and living expenses, potentially earning her more trust on economic issues.
4. Healthcare:
Latino voters are also concerned about healthcare. Harris has pledged to lower healthcare costs and drug prices while strengthening the Affordable Care Act. Trump, in contrast, has vowed to repeal or replace Obamacare, which was signed into law by President Obama in 2010 to provide more affordable medical insurance to 95% of Americans. Trump has blamed Democrats for failing to repeal the law. Recent polls from Reuters show that 46% of Latino voters prefer Harris’ approach to healthcare, compared to 29% for Trump.
5. Climate Change:
Latino voters also care deeply about climate change. Harris has promised to intensify clean energy projects, reduce carbon emissions, and transition to renewable energy. Trump, on the other hand, has committed to increasing oil drilling, offering tax breaks to oil, gas, and coal producers, and fast-tracking gas pipeline approvals. Polls indicate that 46% of Latino voters prefer Harris’ approach to climate change, while 23% favor Trump’s.
The Decisive Role of Latino Voters
In conclusion, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump must put forth their best efforts, particularly in swing states like Arizona and Nevada, where there is a large Latino voting population. By continuously addressing the priorities of this critical voting bloc, they could influence the election outcome, and possibly determine the next president of the United States.
