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AirTalk

Understanding the Hispanic electorate in America

By AirTalk Staff
Published Jun 28, 2010
Carlos Macias (L) goes to the ballot box where he is assisted by election official William Butts (R) as voters go to the polls for Super Tuesday primaries in the predominantly Latino neighborhood of Boyle Heights on February 5, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. At 44 million, Latinos make up 15 percent of the US population, the nation's largest minority group according to the latest Census Bureau estimates.
Carlos Macias (L) goes to the ballot box where he is assisted by election official William Butts (R) as voters go to the polls for Super Tuesday primaries in the predominantly Latino neighborhood of Boyle Heights on February 5, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. At 44 million, Latinos make up 15 percent of the US population, the nation's largest minority group according to the latest Census Bureau estimates.
(
David McNew/Getty Images
)
In his new book, Michael Alvarez looks at the opinions and voting habits of the nation's largest minority group.
In his new book, Michael Alvarez looks at the opinions and voting habits of the nation's largest minority group.
(
Princeton University Press
)
Listen 17:23
Understanding the Hispanic electorate in America
When Latinos go to the polls, most have the same political agenda, right? Not necessarily, says CalTech’s Michael Alvarez. He’s the co-author of a new book that looks at the political identity, public opinion, turnout and voting behavior of the nation’s largest minority group. What do the data predict about Hispanic voters? Which factors most greatly influence voting behavior? And what influence will Latinos exercise on state and national races in November?

When Latinos go to the polls, most have the same political agenda, right? Not necessarily, says CalTech’s Michael Alvarez. He’s the co-author of a new book that looks at the political identity, public opinion, turnout and voting behavior of the nation’s largest minority group. What do the data predict about Hispanic voters? Which factors most greatly influence voting behavior? And what influence will Latinos exercise on state and national races in November?

Guest:

R. Michael Alvarez, co-author of New Faces, New Voices: The Hispanic Electorate in America (Princeton University Press). He is a professor of political science at California Institute of Technology.