Overwhelming Latino Vote for Obama
The ImpreMedia and Latino Decisions Election Eve Survey showed consistent and high levels of support for the President
75% of the Hispanics nationwide voted for Obama. Crédito: AP
President Barack Obama claimed a record 75% vote by Hispanics nationwide, exceeding the 72% obtained by Bill Clinton in the 1990s, according to the ImpreMedia and Latino Decisions Election Eve Survey. Republican Mitt Romney was supported by only 23% of Latino voters.
This ImpreMedia / Latino Decisions special poll was conducted between November 1-5 among 5,600 Latinos who exercised their early voting right or were absolutely certain to attend the ballot box on the November 6 presidential election. The survey involved a national sample plus additional samples in 11 key states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Texas and Virginia.
“The Election Eve Survey showed considerable Latino participation in early voting, absentee or by mail with 43% of Latino voters said they voted prior to Nov. 6th. Eliseo Medina, Secretary Treasurer of the SEIU labor union, praised the ImpreMedia and Latino Decisions polls “because the results show the importance of the Latino vote, and, after tonight, politicians will have to understand that the Latino vote counts, that they need to work to earn our support, and that attacking us will only lead them to defeat.”
The ImpreMedia and Latino Decisions poll showed that the major concerns of Latino voters are the economy and jobs (53%), immigration (35%), education reform (20%) and health care (14%). “I think the time has come for political parties and candidates to realize that immigration reform and the immigrant issue should be solved. For me this is only the beginning of respect for our community, the campaign toward immigration reform should begin immediately after this election, and regardless of who wins, this issue has to be solved,” said Ben Monterroso, Executive Director of Mi Familia Vota.
“The significance of these ImpreMedia polls is that they are going to show a much clearer picture of who Latinos support in this election and why,” pointed out Clarissa Martínez, Director of Civic Engagement of the National Council of La Raza.
