UnidosUS Unveils New Hispanic Electorate Data Hub, and Releases Polling on Pennsylvania’s Hispanic Voter Priorities with Mi Familia Vota

on

Data Hub and survey are part of a multi-year, multi-state effort to build an accurate understanding of this electorate, grow Latino participation and advance community priorities 

WASHINGTON, DC— Last year, UnidosUS, the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization, and Mi Familia Vota (MFV), a national civic engagement organization, announced a multi-year, multi-state partnership connecting electoral programs, policy advocacy, research and community engagement to lift Latino voices.   

As a part of this effort, UnidosUS continues robust polling of this electorate, and today released the results of a 2023 Poll of Pennsylvania’s Hispanic Electorate with MFV, conducted by BSP Research. The 2023 poll provides timely insights into the perspectives and priorities of California’s Hispanic voters a year out from the 2024 elections and is part of the most expansive national poll on the Hispanic electorate this cycle, housed in a first-of-its kind Hispanic Electorate Data Hub, created by UnidosUS to promote an accurate understanding of Latino voters in Pennsylvania and nationwide 

Rafael Collazo, Political Director, UnidosUS said: “The Latino vote will again be the key swing vote in the upcoming 2024 elections, and Pennsylvania Latinos are making it clear that they want to hear how both parties would address the issues impacting their day-to-day lives. It is critical that any candidate looking for their support will need to invest in sharing real policy solutions through authentic engagement, and more so given that 1 in 5 Hispanic voters will be voting in a federal election for the first time in 2024.” 

Key findings of the poll include:  

On the issues 

  • Four of the top five concerns for Pennsylvania’s Hispanic voters are dominated by economic and pocketbook issues, specifically inflation and the rising cost of living, jobs, affordable housing and healthcare.
  • Gun violence remained among the top five, doing so for the first time in 2022.
  • On abortion: 74% of Pennsylvania’s Latino voters continue to oppose efforts to make it illegal or take that decision away from others, no matter their own personal beliefs on the issue.
  • On immigration: Immigration remains a concern in Pennsylvania, though not as high as previous years. Providing a path to citizenship for DACA recipients and other immigrants with long-standing ties in the country are the two big policies Latino voters want to see advanced on this issue.
  • On climate: Climate concern is high, and Pennsylvania Latinos think action is urgently needed to forestall weather and climate related catastrophes. Only 7% doubt the reality of climate change.

On voting 

  • In 2024, 21% of Pennsylvania’s Latinos will be voting in a presidential election for the first time.
  • 35% of Pennsylvania’s Latino electorate is comprised of new voters since Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump faced off in 2016. 

On the parties 

  • Pennsylvania’s Latino voters see Democrats as more aligned with their values and views, on a host of issues including treating people with dignity/respect, democracy and elections, health care and elections. Yet many Latino voters don’t feel that either party truly cares about the Latino community. 
  • Looking forward to the 2024 election, Senator Casey and President Biden hold substantial polling leads among Pennsylvania’s Latino electorate at this very early stage. 
  • Sen. Casey leads likely Republican challenger David McCormick by a 40-point margin. 
  • President Biden’s approval rating stands at 55% approve, and in potential 2024 match-ups, he holds a 32-point lead over former President Trump, and a 40-point lead over Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. 

This research shows that both parties need to do more to better engage and expand support with Hispanic voters.   

Danny Friedman, National Director of Campaigns and Programs, Mi Familia Vota said:
“Pennsylvania is a critical battleground that will come down to the smallest of margins; the Latino vote will be a key decider in this must-win presidential state.  Mi Familia Vota is committed to building Latino political power. We know that for Pennsylvania to prosper, our community must thrive, engage and vote. Now more than ever, our community is hungry to engage in our civic processes.  This poll gives a clear picture of the policy priorities of Pennsylvania Latinos. We will meet this moment and give our communities the tools to organize and ensure they are registered and civically educated to hold politicians accountable to our policy priorities in November!” 

Gary Segura, President, BSP Research said:
“Pennsylvania is among the handful of razor’s edge states where the next election will be decided, and the growing Latino population in SE Pennsylvania may prove to be the pivotal margin. It’s past time for leaders in both parties to focus on the concerns and issues of this community.” 

About the full survey 

Total N=3,037 Latino eligible voters 

  • N= 2,707 registered 
  • N= 330 eligible, not registered 
  • Margin of error +/- 1.8% 

Oversamples 

  • N=300 per: Arizona, California, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania (+/- 5.7%) 
  • N=400 Florida, Texas (+/- 4.9%) 

Field Dates: Nov 2 – 13, 2023 

English or Spanish, according to preference 

Mixed mode: 75% online, 25% live telephone interviews