New Perspectives on Latino Voter Turnout in the United States

Abstract

In this article, we address a number of unresolved questions about Latino electoral participation. First, we examine differences between Latinos and other groups and establish a persistent pattern of low Latino turnout that remains even after taking into account the fact that a large proportion of Latinos are not citizens and are therefore ineligible to vote. Then we investigate the extent to which differences in turnout between Latinos and other groups can be explained by standard socioeconomic variables. Finally, we consider whether there are meaningful differences in turnout between foreign-born and native-born Latino citizens and argue that framing the question in terms of a foreign-born/native-born dichotomy is misleading. Nativity status does have a powerful effect on turnout, but only when considered in conjunction how long foreign-born citizens have lived in the United States. Throughout, we distinguish the three largest Latino subgroups, Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cuban Americans.

English Proficiency and Latino Participation in U.S. Elections

“…Latino participation appears to be similarly affected by these same forces 4 Shaw, de la Garza, and Lee (2000,. 339) note, for example, that “[s]tudies using [SES] models report that Latino voting dynamics are generally similar to those of non‐Latinos: education, income and life cycle factors (especially age) drive turnout” (see also Arvizu and Garcia 1996; Garcia 1996; Highton and Burris 2002; Leighley and Vedlitz 1999; Stokes 2003; Verba et al . 1993; on registration, see Bass and Casper 2001; de la Garza and DeSipio 1997; DeSipio 1996; Jackson 2003).…”

“…1993; on registration, see Bass and Casper 2001; de la Garza and DeSipio 1997; DeSipio 1996; Jackson 2003). There is also evidence that Latino participation is similarly affected by mobilization (Calvo and Rosenstone 1989; Garcia 1997a; Hritzuk and Park 2000; Leighley 2001; Shaw, de la Garza, and Lee 2000) and a sense of social connectedness from organizational membership (Diaz 1996; Hero 1992; Highton and Burris 2002; Hritzuk and Park 2000; Rosenstone and Hansen 1993), homeownership (Arvizu and Garcia 1996; Bass and Casper 2001), and marital status (Arvizu and Garcia 1996; Bass and Casper 2001; Jackson 2003).…”

“…Researchers have also identified some additional factors that are uniquely associated with Latino registration and turnout. These include ethnic heritage, for example, differences between Cuban Americans, Mexican Americans, and Puerto Ricans (Arvizu and Garcia 1996; Bass and Casper 2001; Calvo and Rosenstone 1989; de la Garza and DeSipio 1997; Garcia 1997a, 1997b; Highton and Burris 2002; Jackson 2003; Stokes 2003), immigration status, notable differences between native‐born and naturalized Latino citizens (Bass and Casper 1998, 2001; DeSipio 1996; Highton and Burris 2002; Shaw, de la Garza, and Lee 2000; Tam Cho 1999), military service (Leal 1999), time living in the United States (Arvizu and Garcia 1996; Bass and Casper 1998, 2001; Highton and Burris 2002), and self‐identity and group consciousness (Leighley 2001; Lien 1994; Masuoka 2008; Schildkraut 2005; Stokes 2003; Uhlaner, Cain, and Kiewiet 1989). Latino voting, in particular, also appears to be affected by social context in that “groups that are concentrated geographically and that have higher levels of interpersonal interaction within the group have higher levels of turnout” (Leighley 2001, 180; see also Barreto, Segura, and Woods 2004; Calvo and Rosenstone 1989; Hritzuk and Park 2000; Uhlaner 1989).…”

The Role of Group Consciousness in Political Participation Among Latinos in the United States

“…Citizenship status and nativity are two factors that have been suggested to have a significant impact on Latino political participation (de la Garza & DeSipio, 1997;Hero, 1992;Uhlaner, 1989). Scholars have also indicated that Latinos with longer residence in the United States are more likely to participate in U.S. politics (Highton & Burris, 2002;Uhlaner, 1989). With greater time spent in the United States, the assumption is that individuals will be more familiar with the American political system and therefore more likely to participate.…”

“…With greater time spent in the United States, the assumption is that individuals will be more familiar with the American political system and therefore more likely to participate. This is reflected in Highton and Burris's (2002) results that indicate voter turnout among foreign-born Mexican Americans who have lived in the United States for the longest period outpace that of native-born Mexican Americans. Finally, language has been consistently identified as a dominant influencing factor of Latino political participation, as English-speaking Latinos have greater access to the resources necessary to participate (de la Garza & DeSipio, 1997;Uhlaner, 1989).…”