The Projected Relevance of the Latino Vote in the 2016 Election

Session Submission Type: Workshop

Abstract

This roundtable discussion/panel will discuss the projected influence of the Latino electorate during the upcoming 2016 Presidential Election. Latinos played a pivotal role in the outcome of the 2012 election, comprising 10% of the overall vote in that election and having high influence in several key battleground states. What impact will this important electorate play in 2016? What policy issues are of concern to Latino voters and what can candidates, parties, and interest groups do to mobilize the Latino electorate during the highly important election? These are some of the questions we propose to address in this panel that will feature scholars who are working on projects focused on this topic or who have insights on the Latino electorate based on the nature of their work. The panel will draw from both US Census data that is used to determine what the projected demography of the nation will be in 2016, and survey data made available by Latino Decisions, a national polling firm whose focus is to study the voting behavior and policy preferences of the Latino population.

Sub Track

• Area Studies: Critical and Historical Analysis

Session Organizer

• Gabriel R Sanchez, University of Arizona

Presenters

• Gabriel R Sanchez, University of Arizona

• Xavier Medina Vidal, Blair Center of Southern Politics and Society, University of Arkansas

• David R Ayon, Center for the Study of Los Angeles

• Geraldo L Cadava, Northwestern University