Hispanic voters could swing key midterm races, group finds

Tuesday, October 19, 2010; 2:13 PM

Hispanic voters could have an outsize influence in a number of closely contested races next month, according to a report unveiled Tuesday by a nonpartisan organization of Latino government officials.

About 6.5 million Hispanic voters will likely cast their ballots this year, according to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials - nearly 1 million more than in the last midterm elections in 2006. The group derived its estimate by looking at the increase in Hispanic voter turnout in the past three congressional elections.

The voting bloc could have an impact in close races from Texas to Colorado, said Arturo Vargas, executive director of the group.

"Never before have we had so many tight contests at the state and federal levels in states where the Latino vote can make a difference," he said. "I think it will make all the difference in 2010."

Vargas's group says that several elections could turn on the Latino vote, notably gubernatorial contests in California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas. Some of the Republican nominees are Hispanic: Brian Sandoval in Nevada and Susana Martinez in New Mexico.


read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/19/AR2010101904341_pf.html

. . . it couldn't possibly make a difference. :sarcasm:

Our government is shaped, formed and run by those who participate in the process and use their right to vote.

. . . to those telling folks they won't vote - or that they shouldn't - by flooding the polls and voting Democratic.

in Nevada :think:

;-)