NEVADA (KTNV) — The Hispanic community has been called “the sleeping giant,” but this November, they could wake up in a way we have never seen before. With Nevada being a battleground state, Hispanic voters could be the difference-maker in the final outcome.
Gradually, more Hispanics have become eligible to vote and have participated in past elections. This 2020 won’t be different.
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Astrid Silva is an activist and a DACA recipient. Although she can’t vote, she has made one of her life missions to help others here in Southern Nevada to cast their votes. Through her nonprofit, Dream Big Nevada, she has been able to work on this and other issues that impact the local Hispanic community
“Here in Nevada, for the past 10-15 years, the Latino vote has made the difference in most of the elections that have happened, but there is a need and desire from the community for more information, for more education too as for how to vote, where to vote. Last cycle we had the first voting center. This time it is mail-in voting,“ shared Silva, Executive Director of Dream Big Nevada.
An important task since Hispanics in Nevada make up almost 30%.
The Pew Research Center published that around 20% of eligible voters in Nevada are Hispanic.
For many of them, especially young people, this will be their first presidential election.
Kenneth Miller, UNLV Political Science Assistant Professor, said that Nevada "is a state that not long ago was a rather reliable Republican state and this shift is due to general population growth in Las Vegas, but in particular, die to Latino/Hispanic growth population.”
But to understand the Latino vote, politicians need to know what motivates them, like the economy, health services, and immigration.
“What was happening was that parties were not talking to them and now they are,” expressed Silva.
Members of both presidential candidate's committees are aware of how the Latino vote could decide the winner.
The launch of “Latinos for Trump” and “Latinos con Biden” are just an example.
Julie Chavez, Joe Biden Deputy Campaign Manager, said that the Latino vote could “not just be the decisive vote but to really be able to if we come out in force really be able to dictate the agenda.”
Jesus Marquez, Advisor Board Latinos For Trump, said the president's supporters are confident on a victory because “the polls show up that his support among Latinos is growing compared to the last cycle and I’m sure in November well see the final results that he will get much bigger numbers”
Both parties will be making a concerted effort to attract these voters between now and Election Day.
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