Arizona Latino Voters Deliver High Support for Democrats as concerns over Rising Grocery Prices, Soaring Utility Bills and ICE Overreach Drive the Vote

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ARIZONA — With utility rate increases pending before state regulators, power bills and rents climbing and new data centers across Maricopa and Pima counties adding demand to the power grid and water supplies, Latino voters went to the polls motivated by their families’ struggles to build a future in Arizona. Of states polled, Arizona Hispanic voters had the second-highest level of support for Democratic Congressional candidates and, based on the Latino voter findings released by UnidosUS, Arizona is the only state where support for Democrats from Hispanic men was higher than that of Hispanic women. Latino men backed Democratic candidates for Congress 74% to 24%, a 50-point margin, compared with 71% to 27% among Latinas, a 44-point margin.

A rebuke of current economic and immigration policies shaped Latinos voting decisions: Two-thirds (67%) say the country is on the wrong track, and 61% cite the cost of living and inflation as a top issue. Nearly half (49%) have nothing left over at the end of the month or are struggling to make ends meet. On immigration, nine in 10 support a balanced system that includes border security and an earned path to citizenship, and nearly eight in 10 want clear accountability for ICE, including identifiable uniforms, body cameras and a ban on masks.

“For Arizona’s Latino families, affordability isn’t just an economic issue; it’s about whether they can build a future in the communities they call home. Families are feeling the pressure every day, from grocery bills and rising rents to higher utility costs and the growing challenge of buying a home. Our polling shows that nearly half of Latino voters are struggling to make ends meet or have nothing left over at the end of the month. Arizona’s leaders need to recognize that working hard should be enough to get ahead, not just get by. We need real solutions that lower costs, expand access to affordable housing, and create greater opportunities for families to build economic security and generational wealth,” said Enrique Davis-Mazlum, Arizona state director for UnidosUS.

“Every day, we hear from Latino families across Arizona who are working hard but finding it increasingly difficult to get ahead. The rising costs of groceries, housing, utilities, and healthcare are putting tremendous pressure on household budgets. This election reminds us that our community wants more than promises. Latino voters want leaders who listen, understand their struggles and deliver real solutions that make life more affordable. Our families are an essential part of Arizona’s future, and their voices must be heard not just during elections, but every day when decisions are made that affect their lives,” said Laura Madrid, a local business owner and community leader from Arizona.

 

TOPLINES | Arizona Latino Voters Demand Economic Relief and Accountability 

Arizona Latino voters are focused on the issues that shape their families’ finances and their communities, not on partisan affiliation. 

On the Economy — Affordability is the defining issue for Arizona Latino voters: 

  • Close to two-thirds (61%) cite the cost of living and inflation as one of the top three issues elected officials should address, followed by jobs and the economy (39%), healthcare costs (34%), and affordable housing and rent (27%). 
  • Groceries (57%), housing (41%), healthcare and prescription drugs (34%), utilities (33%) and gasoline (32%) lead their cost-of-living concerns. 
  • On housing, high utility costs and property taxes (41%) tie with rising rents (41%) as the issues voters most want elected officials to address. 
  • Nearly half (49%) have nothing left over at the end of the month or are struggling to make ends meet. More than four in 10 (42%) expect President Trump’s economic policies to leave them worse off next year, compared with 15% who expect to be better off. 

On Immigration — Arizona Latino voters favor a balanced system and real accountability: 

  • More than nine in ten (93%), including 89% of Trump 2024 voters, want a balanced immigration system with an earned path to citizenship. Notably, a sizeable majority of Latino voters think ICE actions are over the line. 
  • More than three-fourths (77%) support requiring ICE agents to wear identifiable uniforms and body cameras, prohibiting masks and restricting the use of force. 
  • In all, 68% disapprove of President Trump’s handling of immigration enforcement and ICE. 

On the Arizona Vote — Latino voters deliver strong support for Democratic candidates: 

  • Gov. Katie Hobbs won Arizona Latino voters 70% to 24% over Andy Biggs, with majority support in every subgroup measured, including 75% of Latino men. 
  • Democratic House candidates won 73% to 26%, a seven-point improvement over Kamala Harris’ 66% in 2024. Outside Maricopa County, the Democratic share jumped 10 points, from 61% to 71%. 
  • Crossover ran overwhelmingly one way: 20% of Arizona Latinos who voted for Trump in 2024 backed Hobbs, and 16% backed Democratic House candidates. Only 2% of Harris voters backed Biggs, and 1% backed Republican House candidates. 

On Political Engagement — A constantly expanding electorate: 

  • Nearly one-third (30%) of Arizona Latino voters cast their first general election ballot in 2022 or later, including 11% who voted for the first time this year. Among voters under 40, 42% are new since 2022. 
  • Reportedly, 63% were contacted about registering or voting: 34% by Democrats, 18% by Latino community organizations and 15% by Republicans. 
  • More than one in three (37%) were not contacted by anyone — a missed opportunity for both parties. 

On Democracy and Civil Rights — Voters worry about checks on power: 

  • A large majority (85%) are concerned that Congress is not exercising its checks-and-balances role, and 87% say the same about the Supreme Court. 
  • Nearly eight in 10 (79%) say civil rights and liberties are under threat or no longer secure. 
  • Nearly two-thirds (64%) worry that they, their families or their communities could be targeted by government policies because of their race, ethnicity, religion, language, immigration status or national origin. 

 

PRIORITIES | Arizona Latino Voters Want Elected Officials to Deliver 

Arizona Latino voters expect action on the economic pressures facing their families and the policies shaping their communities. Large majorities support federal action on household costs, immigration and the health of our democracy: 

  • 80% support regulating artificial intelligence so that humans, not AI systems, stay in control of military weapons, banks and Americans’ personal information 
  • 78% support passing a new Voting Rights Act so all eligible citizens can vote without barriers 
  • 77% support restoring full federal funding for food and nutrition programs (SNAP) cut in 2025 
  • 77% support restoring the Affordable Care Act tax credits that help families buy health insurance 
  • 77% support immigration enforcement reforms requiring identifiable uniforms and body cameras, prohibiting masks and restricting the use of force 
  • 75% support a universal childcare or early childhood education programs at low or no cost to families 
  • 74% support a path to permanent legal status and citizenship for long-residing undocumented immigrants who pass a background check and pay a fine 
  • 68% support reversing the 10-year, $1 trillion cut to Medicaid enacted in 2025 

Arizona’s Latino electorate is growing, changing and not guaranteed to any party. These voters showed in 2026 that they will shift their support, and they expect elected officials to respond. For both parties, the path forward runs through sustained engagement and real results on the issues that matter most to Arizona families. 

 

About the 2026 Midterm Election Voter Poll and U.S. Hispanic Findings 

The 2026 Midterm Election Voter Poll is a collaboration of 16 national organizations committed to shedding light on voter priorities and sentiment across the American electorate. It includes American Indian, AAPI, Black, Hispanic and white voters, and was conducted from October 20 through November 2. On the Hispanic voter front, BSP Research surveyed 3,050 Hispanic voters who cast a ballot in the 2026 midterm elections, in the voter’s chosen language. The national survey includes oversamples in Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan and Texas, and in U.S. House and Senate battlegrounds. 

  • Click HERE to watch a replay of the Arizona webinar.  
  • Click HERE to see a slide presentation of the Arizona toplines.  
  • Click HERE to view Arizona crosstabs.  

   

Methodology: 

  • Total N=3,014 Latino voters in the 2026 midterm election (+/- 1.8%)  
  • N=803 Battleground Congressional Districts (±3.5%)  
  • N=1,368 Battleground Senate States (±2.6%) 
  • N=844 Texas (including 
  • N=176 Rio Grande Valley) (±3.4%)  
  • N=516 Florida (±4.3%)  
  • N=337 Arizona (±5.3%)  
  • N=421 California (±4.8%)  
  • N=241 Michigan (±6.3%)  
  • Field Dates: October 20 – November 3, 2026 
  • Survey available in English and Spanish, according to respondent preference 
  • Administered via live phone, text invite, and online panels  
  • All respondents voted in the 2026 election 

 

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