AARP - Segunda Juventud - My Vote, My Impact: AARP Exclusive Poll of Hispanic Voters

My Vote, My Impact
In an exclusive AARP poll, more than half of Hispanic voters surveyed said the Latino vote will have a greater impact in this election than ever before in history.

By Roger E. Hernández
Fall 2008

Full poll results

Exclusive Interviews: Senators McCain and Obama
(Fall 2008)

Voter's Guide to the 2008 Elections (AARP.org)

AARP's Divided We Fail Platform

Your Vote Counts (Summer 2008)
There's never been an election like this in U.S. presidential politics: one in which an African American is pitted against one of the oldest nominees ever. And the contest appears to be attracting an outsized interest among the public, with Hispanic voters caught up in the fervor too.

That excitement will translate to votes, according to an exclusive AARP poll of Hispanic registered voters ages 18 and over. Among respondents, 82 percent—and 88 percent of those ages 45 to 64—say they are "almost certain" to vote in November, with another 7 percent saying they probably will vote. Colorado resident Deann Martínez Pujol, who calls herself a "hard-core voter" and says she's never missed an election, agrees. "I have a friend who's never voted, but she's going to vote this year," says Pujol, 46. "Moderate people, even people who have been ambivalent or apathetic, are being mobilized."

In fact, a Pew Hispanic Center study found that Latino turnout rose sharply this past primary season, specifically in the Texas and California Democratic contests. But who they'll vote for is still a toss-up for four out of 10 Hispanic voters—and another 10 percent who have chosen a candidate say their support is weak—according to AARP's poll.

Among registered Latinos ages 65-plus, 45 percent say they're still undecided. While many haven't settled on a candidate, Hispanic voters are well aware of their growing political clout. Fifty-six percent say Latinos will play a larger role in deciding the elections this year than they did in past years.

Hispanic Voters’ Survey

82% are almost certain to vote in the 2009 presidential election

79% feel the country is on the wrong track

56% feel Hispanics will play a larger role in the elections this year than they played in previous years

41% say the economy and jobs are the most important issues

40% say they haven’t yet decided on a candidate.

*Full Poll Results*
The AARP poll findings were echoed by registered Latino voters who participated in a series of voter forums across the country led by the National Association of Latino Appointed and Elected Officials's Ya Es Hora campaign and its allies, including AARP.

"It's noteworthy that [respondents] believe Latinos will have a greater impact in this election than previously," says Rodolfo O. de la Garza, Eaton Professor of Administrative Law and Municipal Science at Columbia University and a vice president of the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute. "This is a most optimistic outlook, given that their impact may be truly significant only in New Mexico."

Dr. de la Garza added that Latino voters historically have had little political influence, even in New Mexico, which is majority Hispanic. This year, however, he says he thinks they could turn the political tide in that state. Hispanics' positive attitude "suggests how American their views are" in believing they can create change, Dr. de la Garza says, especially considering that the AARP poll found that nearly eight out of 10 respondents believe the country is on the "wrong track," and that 41 percent cited "the economy and jobs" as the most important issue facing them.

"This [positive attitude] is somewhat surprising, given that [older Hispanics] are the most affected by the nation's economic problems," the professor says, noting that 59 percent—nearly six out of 10—did not cite the economy as the top concern.

The Candidates Speak
Learn what presidential candidates Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama had to say to AARP Segunda Juventud, in exclusive interviews. Plus, resources and information on voter registration, voting centers, and more.

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