Latino Voters share thoughts on Election 2024

Published: Aug. 20, 2024 at 1:37 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - For the first time in nearly a century, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) has endorsed a presidential candidate – Vice President Kamala Harris. LULAC endorses Kamala Harris.

This November, an estimated 36 million Latino voters will head to the ballot box according to Pew Research. Latino voters are a coveted demographic by both major parties. In 2020 – 61 percent punched their ballot for Biden according to Pew Research. GOP Nominee Former President Donald Trump and Democrat nominee Kamala Harris both hoping to win over the bulk of this voting bloc.

“Our organization is gearing up to make sure we are educating as many Hispanics as possible to get out there and vote, that’s the most important thing right now,” Roman Palomares, LULAC president.

The League of United Latin American Citizens – or LULAC for short, works to educate and engage Latino voters. For nearly a century this organization has remained non-partisan. But this year for the first time ever – they’ve endorsed a candidate – Kamala Harris. The group says the economy, education and healthcare are top issues for families.

“It’s the young ones who want to go to college are making sure they can afford college,” Palomares said. “The ones who are in college, worried about student loans. Then we talk about the parents, making sure that, some of them don’t have health insurance.”

VotoLatino – a historically democrat supporting organization says Former President Donald Trump isn’t the leader Hispanic voters need.

“Basic rights, and democracy are in our ballots,” Diana Castaneda, spokesperson said. “The Republican platform, especially the Project 2025 is anti-immigrant, anti-Latino and anti-workers project.”

VotoLatino said since Kamala Harris became the Democratic nominee – there has been a 200% plus jump in enthusiasm, especially among young voters.

“As an authentic candidate,” Castaneda said. “That’s not the average politicians in that she is connected, especially to young voters.”

Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida said Harris’s work as Vice President has contributed to problems plaguing Latino families.

“…Communities are suffering from crime, drugs, and migrant gangs,” Rubio said in a statement. “They are worried about the future here and for their relatives abroad thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration’s continued failures.”

There are some shared goals though, they want to see issues at the southern border cleaned up. And they believe Latino voters will have a major influence in November’s election.