Hispanic Citizenship, Registration, and Voting Patterns in Comparative Perspective During the 2000 Presidential Elections

Introduction: This study examines citizenship, registration, and voting patterns of Latinos during the 2000 presidential elections. Methods: Data on Latinos and other racial/ethnic groups were obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, reorganized for public use by the Minnesota Population Center, University of Minnesota, IPUMSusa. Cases in the dataset were weighted and analyzed to produce population estimates. Results: The participation rates among potential Hispanic voters who were citizens of the U.S. 18 years of age and older were the lowest of any of the major racial/ethnic groups in the nation during the 2000 presidential elections as well as in the 2002 congressional elections. The results of the 2004 elections may very well have hinged upon whether or not these rates declined, remained the same, or increased. This study will focus upon the ten states with the largest potential Hispanic voting populations, citizens over 18 years of age, which accounted for nearly 85% of all voting age Hispanics in 2000. Discussion: In critical states which shaped the outcome of the 2000 presidential elections such as Florida, New Mexico, and Colorado, a higher Hispanic registration and voting rate could have changed the results of the election. When they are released, the data for the 2004 election will be interesting to observe for comparative purposes in light of the fact that the Republican presidential candidate is estimated to have received 43% of the total Hispanic vote. These votes may have been the decisive margin of George W. Bush’s victory in the three above states