Ahead of Primary Day in Washington, Latino Voters Concerned by Cost of Living, Wages and Healthcare Costs

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OLYMPIA, Wash. — As Washington residents prepare to vote in the state’s presidential and congressional primaries this Tuesday, UnidosUS – the nation’s largest Latino civil rights organization – is urging candidates to address the concerns of Hispanic voters, highlighted by their recent poll on the views of Latino voters nationwide. The largest survey of Hispanic voters released this election cycle, economic and pocketbook issues dominated the list of policy concerns, surfacing rising inflation, low wages, and access to affordable healthcare as top of mind for most Latinos heading to the polls. 

Nearly 7% of Washingtonians casting a ballot in the 2020 presidential election were Hispanic. With at least one toss-up seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Washingtonians will play a role in the battle for control of Congress, underscoring the urgent need for candidates to engage with these voters and address their greatest concerns.  

“Latinos make nearly 1 of every 10 Washingtonian citizens of voting age, and in 2020, nearly 90% of Latino registered voters in the state cast a ballot” said Clarissa Martinez De Castro, Vice President of the UnidosUS Latino Vote Initiative, “With so many races on the ballot this November, including governor, president, US Senate and Congress, continued engagement with Latino voters should be a no-brainer for parties and candidates.” 

Full results of the poll are available in the UnidosUS Hispanic Electorate Data Hub, a newly released multidimensional platform that provides data and insights on this electorate spanning the last two decades. The following outlines key findings on the Hispanic electorate. 

On The Issues:  

  • Economy: Four of the top five concerns for Hispanic voters nationwide are dominated by economic and pocketbook issues, specifically inflation and the rising cost of living, wages, healthcare costs, and housing affordability—which notably rose to the top five concerns for the first time. 
  • Gun violence: The 4th top concern, with voters concerned about ease of access to guns and assault weapons.   
  • Abortion: By a 71% to 23% margin, Latinos continue to oppose efforts to make it illegal or take that decision away from others, no matter their own personal beliefs on the issue. 
  • Immigration: While not in the top five priority issues, immigration is ranked higher than it was in 2022. Top action items include providing a path to citizenship for long-residing undocumented individuals and Dreamers; the lowest support of any issue in the battery is for finishing the wall or mass deportations. 

On Voting:  

  • In 2024, 22% of Latinos in the United States will be voting in a presidential election for the first time.  
  • 38% of the Hispanic electorate nationally will be composed of new voters since Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump faced off in 2016.