NCLR High School Democracy Project
Lesson Four: The Right to Vote
Students will be able to:
•
Compare the requirements for voting across time in American history.
•
Explain the importance of young voters to the modern electorate.
Time: 45 minutes
Preparation and Set-up: Set up a computer with Internet connectivity and a projector; test the link to the
video. Make copies of handouts.
Materials:
•
United States Voting Rights Timeline handout
•
“The Ten States Where Millennials Could Sway the Election” article
•
“For 2016, Almost Half the Latino Electorate Will Be Millennials” article
•
Projector
•
Computer with Internet connection, access to video Found in Translation
Time (minutes)
Description of Activity
10
Give each student a copy of the voting rights timeline and
explain that today they will be looking at who has actually
gotten to participate in voting at different times in history.
Point out that in 1789, when the first presidential election was
held, only 6% of the population could vote.
In small groups, ask students to review the timeline and mark
each year with either a circle or an X. Circle the dates that
represent changes allowing more people to vote. Put an X
through the dates that excluded people from voting or made
it more difficult.
10
Notes and Materials
U.S. Voting Rights
Timeline
Students can also use
two colors of highlighter
or marker to indicate
their answers.
The Short Voting
Timeline handout can be
used if time is an issue.
Lead a group discussion about the timeline. What do
students notice about it? Why do you think people have tried
to restrict voting over history?
11
NCLR High School Democracy Project
Time (minutes)
20
Description of Activity
Share copies of the article “Millennial Electorate.” Read
either in small groups or out loud together. Discuss the
following questions:
•
•
5
Why do you think young people are not voting in
greater numbers?
How might politics look different if more young
people voted?
Notes and Materials
“The Ten States Where
Millennials Could Sway
the Election” article
“For 2016, Almost Half
the Latino Electorate Will
Be Millennials” article
Tell students that the next lesson will prepare them to vote on Found in Translation
Election Day, and they will also be working on messages to
Show this video at
encourage their community to vote. Show the video Found in
least two times and
Translation and ask students what they think.
ask students who
What does the Spanish message say? Why do you think he
can translate to help
made the video this way?
translate the Spanish at
the bottom the second
time through.
Note for instructor: This lesson includes activities that are meant to develop critical thinking skills. Make sure
all students have the opportunity to give their opinions on the handouts or video.
12
Name:
U.S. Voting Rights Timeline
Date:
1776
Only people who own land can vote
Declaration of Independence signed. Right to vote during the Colonial and
Revolutionary periods is restricted to property owners—most of whom are white male
Protestants over the age of 21.
1787
No federal voting standard—states decide who can vote
U.S. Constitution adopted. Because there is no agreement on a national standard for
voting rights, states are given the power to regulate their own voting laws. In most
cases, voting remains in the hands of white male landowners.
1789
George Washington elected president. Only 6% of the population can vote.
1790
Citizen=White
1790 Naturalization Law passed. It explicitly states that only “free white” immigrants
can become naturalized citizens.
1848
Activists for ending slavery and women’s rights join together
Women’s rights convention held in Seneca Falls, NY. Frederick Douglass, a
newspaper editor and former slave, attends the event and gives a speech supporting
universal voting rights. His speech helps convince the convention to adopt a
resolution calling for voting rights for women.
1848
Citizenship granted, but voting denied
The Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo ends the Mexican-American War and guarantees
U.S. citizenship to Mexicans living in the territories conquered by the U.S. However,
English language requirements and violent intimidation limit access to voting rights.
1856
Vote expanded to all white men
North Carolina is the last state to remove property ownership as a requirement to
vote.
1866
Movements unite and divide
Two women’s rights activists, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, form an
organization for white and black women and men dedicated to the goal of universal
voting rights. The organization later divides and regroups over disagreements in
strategies to gain the vote for women and African Americans.
1868
Former slaves granted citizenship
14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution passed. Citizenship is defined and granted
to former slaves. Voters, however, are explicitly defined as male. Although the
-1-
Northern California Citizenship Project
Mobilize the Immigrant Vote 2004 - Capacity Building Series
Name:
U.S. Voting Rights Timeline
Date:
amendment forbids states from denying any rights of citizenship, voting regulation is
still left in the hands of the states.
1870
Vote cannot be denied because of race, explicitly –
so other discriminatory tactics used
15th Amendment passed. It states that the right to vote cannot be denied by the
federal or state governments based on race. However, soon after, some states begin to
enact measures such as voting taxes and literacy tests that restrict the actual ability of
African Americans to register to vote. Violence and other intimidation tactics are also
used.
1872
Women try to vote
Susan B. Anthony is arrested and brought to trial in Rochester, New York, for
attempting to vote in the presidential election. At the same time, Sojourner Truth, a
former slave and advocate for justice and equality, appears at a polling booth in Grand
Rapids, Michigan, demanding a ballot but she is turned away.
1876
Indigenous people cannot vote
The Supreme Court rules that Native Americans are not citizens as defined by the 14th
Amendment and, thus, cannot vote.
1882
The Chinese Exclusion Act bars people of Chinese ancestry from naturalizing to
become U.S. citizens.
1887
Assimilation=Right to Vote
Dawes Act passed. It grants citizenship to Native Americans who give up their tribal
affiliations
1890
Wyoming admitted to statehood and becomes first state to legislate voting for
women in its constitution.
1890
Indigenous people must apply for citizenship
The Indian Naturalization Act grants citizenship to Native Americans whose
applications are approved—similar to the process of immigrant naturalization.
1912-13 Women lead voting rights marches through New York and Washington, D.C.
1919
Military Service=Citizenship for Native Americans
Native Americans who served in the military during World War I are granted U.S.
citizenship.
-2-
Northern California Citizenship Project
Mobilize the Immigrant Vote 2004 - Capacity Building Series
Name:
U.S. Voting Rights Timeline
Date:
1920
Right to vote extended to women
19th Amendment passed, giving women right to vote in both state and federal
elections.
1922
Asian≠White≠Citizen
Supreme Court rules that people of Japanese heritage are ineligible to become
naturalized citizens. In the next year, the Court finds that Asian Indians are also not
eligible to naturalize.
1924
Again, citizenship granted but voting denied
The Indian Citizenship Act grants citizenship to Native Americans, but many states
nonetheless make laws and policies which prohibit Native Americans from voting.
1925
Military Service=Citizenship for Filipinos
Congress bars Filipinos from U.S. citizenship unless they have served three years in the
Navy.
1926
State violence used to prevent people from exercising their right to vote
While attempting to register to vote in Birmingham, Alabama, a group of African
American women are beaten by election officials.
1947
Legal barriers to Native American voting removed
Miguel Trujillo, a Native American and former Marine, sues New Mexico for not
allowing him to vote. He wins and New Mexico and Arizona are required to give the
vote to all Native Americans.
1952
McCarran-Walter Act grants all people of Asian ancestry the right to become
citizens.
1961
23rd amendment passed. It gives citizens of Washington, D.C. the right to vote
for U.S. president. But to this day, the district’s residents—most of whom are
African American—still do not have voting representation in Congress.
1963-64 Voting rights as civil rights
Large-scale efforts in the South to register African Americans to vote are intensified.
However, state officials refuse to allow African Americans to register by using voting
taxes, literacy tests and violent intimidation. Among the efforts launched is Freedom
Summer, where close to a thousand civil rights workers of all races and backgrounds
converge on the South to support voting rights.
-3-
Northern California Citizenship Project
Mobilize the Immigrant Vote 2004 - Capacity Building Series
Name:
U.S. Voting Rights Timeline
Date:
1964
No special tax to vote
24th Amendment passed. It guarantees that the right to vote in federal elections will
not be denied for failure to pay any tax.
1965
Grassroots movement forces change in law
Voting Rights Act passed. It forbids states from imposing discriminatory restrictions
on who can vote, and provides mechanisms for the federal government to enforce its
provisions. The legislation is passed largely under pressure from protests and marches
earlier that year challenging Alabama officials who injured and killed people during
African American voter registration efforts.
1966
After the legal change, struggle continues for social change
Civil rights activist James Meredith is wounded by a sniper during a solo “Walk
Against Fear” voter registration march between Tennessee and Mississippi. The next
day, nearly 4,000 African Americans register to vote. And other civil rights leaders such
as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Stokely Carmichael continue the march while Meredith
heals. Meredith rejoins March at its conclusion in Mississippi.
1971
Voting age lowered to 18
26th Amendment passed, granting voting rights to 18-year-olds. The amendment is
largely a result of Vietnam War-protests demanding a lowering of the voting age on
the premise that people who are old enough to fight are old enough to vote.
1975
Voting materials in various languages
Amendments to Voting Rights Act require that certain voting materials be printed in
languages besides English so that people who do not read English can participate in
the voting process.
1993
Making voter registration easier
National Voter Registration Act passed. Intends to increase the number of eligible
citizens who register to vote by making registration available at the Department of
Motor Vehicles, and public assistance and disabilities agencies.
2000
Residents of U.S. colonies are citizens, but cannot vote
A month prior to the presidential election, a federal court decides that Puerto Ricans
living in Puerto Rico, though U.S. citizens, cannot vote for U.S. president. Residents
of U.S. territories including Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin
-4-
Northern California Citizenship Project
Mobilize the Immigrant Vote 2004 - Capacity Building Series
Name:
U.S. Voting Rights Timeline
Date:
Islands—nearly 4.1 million people total—cannot vote in presidential elections and do
not have voting representation in the U.S Congress.
2001
Debate—Should voting rights be taken away from felons? For how long?
The National Commission on Federal Election Reform recommends that all states
allow felons to regain their right to vote after completing their criminal
sentences. Nearly 4 million US citizens cannot vote because of past felony
convictions. In California, felons are prohibited from voting while they are in prison
or on parole. But, in other states, especially in the South, a person with a felony
conviction is forever prohibited from voting in that state. These laws are a legacy of
post-Civil War attempts to prevent African Americans from voting. Ex-felons are
largely poor and of color.
2002
Trying to solve election inconsistency with more federal voting standards
Help America Vote Act (HAVA) passed in response to disputed 2000 presidential
election. Massive voting reform effort requires states comply with federal mandate
for provisional ballots, disability access, centralized, computerized voting lists,
electronic voting and requirement that first-time voters present identification before
voting.
-5-
Northern California Citizenship Project
Mobilize the Immigrant Vote 2004 - Capacity Building Series
Photos: flag, © Rubberball/Getty Images; people voting, © Hill Street Studios/Media Bakery.
to 18.
American men are now allowed to
vote. However, state officials still try
of the entire population can
vote in the election.
right to vote.
Native Americans.
citizenship to
Congress grants
need for more voting rights.
to Montgomery, Alabama, to dramatize the
on a 54-mile march from Selma, Alabama,
Martin Luther King, Jr., leads 25,000 people
vote on account of race or color.”
right of any citizen of the United States to
political subdivision to deny or abridge the
shall be imposed or applied by any state or
voting, or standard, practice, or procedure,
“No voting qualification or prerequisite to
rights of Native Americans to vote. It states:
law protects all voting rights, including the
and underscores the 15th Amendment. This
landmark piece of legislation, which echoes
to African-Americans, and African-
president. Only 6 percent
gives women the
The 19th Amendment
The Voting Rights Act is passed. This is a
Amendment granting citizenship
elects George Washington
them from voting.
Lawmakers enact the 14th
The Electoral College
to deny them this right and prevent
1868
1965
voting age
tax unconstitutional.
this they do not have the right to vote.
the right to vote as citizens.
1940
1940
lowers the
24th Amendment makes the poll
Americans are not citizens and because of
14th Amendment gave African-American men
1920
Amendment
is called the Civil Rights Act. The
The Supreme Court rules that Native
local governments from denying that right. This
amendment was still necessary even after the
The 26th
guarantees the right to register
of African-Americans to register and vote.
men the right to vote and prohibits state and
to vote without reprisal. This law
signs a major civil rights law that
many southern states to restrict the ability
1971
President Lyndon B. Johnson
Poll taxes and literacy tests are used in
1964
1876
The 15th Amendment gives African-American
1870
1798
Name:
ǾŇ ǺİŘ ŇǾẄ
ẄǺMŲ 88.5
Țħě 10 Șțǻțěș Ẅħěřě Mįŀŀěňňįǻŀș Čǿųŀđ Șẅǻỳ
Țħě Ěŀěčțįǿň
Fěbřųǻřỳ 24, 2016 · 9:53 ǺM ĚȚ
ǺȘMǺ ĶĦǺĿİĐ
A young woman watches poll numbers at Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush's election­night party on Feb.
9 in Manchester, N.H. In the last presidential election, millenials had the lowest voter turnout of any age group.
Scott Eisen/Getty Images
As the presidential race shifted to Nevada with Democratic caucuses last week and
Republican caucuses Tuesday night, more young voters had a chance to chime in to
the political process. Nevada is a state with a huge young, diverse population.
But there is the perennial question: Do young people matter in politics?
In every recent election, you've probably heard some iteration of the same
generational critique: "Young people don't vote."
Millennials (born between 1982 and 2000, according to the Census definition) are the
largest generation in the country. With an estimated population of 83.1 million, they
now outnumber baby boomers. But, in the last election, they had the lowest voter
turnout of any age group.
That's partly because political campaigns aren't tapping into the potential power of
young voters, according to Kei Kawashima­Ginsberg, the director of CIRCLE, the
Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, at Tufts
University.
Kawashima­Ginsberg and her colleagues are eager to increase youth participation —
CIRCLE was founded in 2001 as a result of declining youth turnout in the 1990s. This
election cycle, they've methodically studied every state to create an empirical index
that analyzes where the youth vote could potentially sway the outcome of the
presidential election. (See the bottom of this post for more on the methodology.)
They gave states bonus points for implementing election laws that are designed to
facilitate voter turnout, such as same­day registration, online registration and
preregistration, which allows voters who will be 18 by election day to sign up to vote
before they turn 18.
Once the index was computed, CIRCLE then looked at the size of the youth vote
relative to the margin of victory in 2012.
Ẅħěřě Ǻ Șmǻŀŀ Șħįfț İň Țħě Ỳǿųțħ Vǿțě Mįģħț Ħǻvě Ǻffěčțěđ
Țħě Řěșųŀț İň 2012
Researchers at CIRCLE estimated the number of voters under age 30 based on Census and voting data. In 29 states, they
found that the youth vote in 2012 exceeded the margin of victory in that year’s presidential election. A shift in how that
group voted, they argue, could have affected the ultimate result. Below, the top states in CIRCLE’s youth vote index and
their ratios of youth vote to margin of victory.
Youth voters
Margin of victory
Florida
North Carolina
Ohio
Virginia
Colorado
Pennsylvania
New
Hampshire
Wisconsin
Nevada
Iowa
0
0.2M
0.4M
0.6M
0.8M
1.0M
1.2M
Source: Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, Tufts University
Credit: Alyson Hurt/NPR
The main conclusion for Kawashima­Ginsberg was that young people, when they're
actually targeted, can help win elections — especially in these 10 states, ordered from
least important to most important in terms of youth vote.
10. Nevada
In Nevada, the margin of victory in the general election is expected to be small,
compared to the size of the youth population.
Still, Nevada has struggled with low youth turnout in recent elections, so turning
potential into reality is an uphill climb.
Nevada is both racially and educationally diverse. In fact, Census data suggest Nevada
will be the next state to flip majority­minority in the country; currently, about 31
percent of the under­30 population is Latino.
Nevada also has a large non­college­educated population, which suggests the youth
vote is far more multifaceted than in other states.
"Nevada's young voters ... are more and more likely to register as unaffiliated or
independent," said Kawashima­Ginsberg. That may mean fewer young Nevadans will
participate in the caucuses, but it also means they're more likely up for grabs in the
general election.
9. North Carolina
North Carolina was famously known for its high youth voter turnout in 2008, which
swung the state in Barack Obama's favor.
Since then, the state has rolled back a couple of election procedures that are designed
to ease the voting process — both same­day registration and preregistration.
Still, the CIRCLE index ranks North Carolina high because the young population has
shown it votes differently than the older population. In 2008, for example, exit polls
show 76 percent of 18­ to 29­year­olds voted for Obama. Every other age group
preferred John McCain.
The other defining characteristic is race — 23 percent of the youth population is black.
In recent elections, young African­Americans have had the highest voter turnout.
"We've found, particularly, young female black voters turn out in incredibly high
rate(s)," said Kawashima­Ginsberg.
Of course, the high turnout in the African­American community was likely linked to
the historic election of the country's first black president, and without Barack Obama
at the top of the ticket it's unclear whether black voters will participate at equally
enthusiastic rates this year.
8. Florida
"It may be counterintuitive to have Florida in the top 10, because as a whole the
population in Florida is rather old," said Kawashima­Ginsberg. The state's average age
is 41.8.
But she said the Sunshine State scored high on the "election law" index — with
preregistration for 16­ and 17­year­olds and now online registration.
"Preregistration has been found to have a long­term impact on young people's voter
turnout, even after they turn 18 or 30," said Kawashima­Ginsberg.
The other unique factor in Florida is that the state is home to more than 400 higher
education institutions; university campuses are critical for voter mobilization, since
people who are college­educated tend to vote at higher rates.
7. Virginia
Virginia has a sizable youth voting population — 1.2 million, which is 21.3 percent of
the state's population.
Traditionally, Virginia has also experienced high youth voter turnout compared to
other states.
Kawashima­Ginsberg says Virginia's relatively high, consistent turnout may be a result
of the state's competitiveness in a general election contest.
"People who are young are actually hearing from campaigns over the phones, or they
may even get door­knocking at their homes, which is not the case in other non­
battleground states," she explained.
6. Wisconsin
During presidential election years, a large percentage of young people in Wisconsin
tend to vote. In fact, according to average Census figures from the last three elections,
turnout hovered around 60 percent.
Kawashima­Ginsberg says that strong participation is partly because young folks in
Wisconsin have characteristics that correlate to high turnout — they're
overwhelmingly white, employed and living above the poverty rate.
But, she cautions, Wisconsin's population is aging, and it's being replaced by a more
racially diverse population. It's unclear whether these new minority voters will
participate at the same rates.
5. Colorado
Colorado has all three laws that CIRCLE notes as being "helpful" to youth voter
turnout — same­day registration (enacted in 2013), preregistration for potential voters
below 18 (enacted in 2013) and online registration (2009).
Colorado's youth demographic is also the fastest­growing age group in the state. It also
appears that youth voter turnout has been rising, as opposed to declining — the
opposite of the national trend.
4. Ohio
Ohio has a large number of colleges — 385 institutions of higher education, according
to CIRCLE research.
But Kawashima­Ginsberg says Ohio's under­30 population is unique — many have
children (26 percent). In fact, of all these 10 states, Ohio has the highest ratio of young
people with kids.
As a result, Kawashima­Ginsberg says, the issues that matter to young voters in Ohio
may be more diverse — encompassing not only college affordability and jobs, but also
health care and early childhood education.
"That might mean there are different places where young people who could vote could
be reached out to," said Kawashima­Ginsberg.
She says that's particularly important in Ohio because the election is likely to be tight.
"It's one of the top states when it comes to how small the margin of victory was relative
to the youth vote," she said.
CIRCLE's analysis shows that in 2012, the youth vote was about 5.6 times as large as
the margin of victory.
3. Pennsylvania
There are a few disparate factors that make Pennsylvania's youth vote unique.
This presidential election cycle, Pennsylvania is introducing online registration, which
may make it easier for first­time voters to sign up
Like Florida, the state has more than 400 institutions of higher education.
And, in recent cycles, young voters in Pennsylvania have tilted far more to the left than
older folks.
The state also has a sizable black youth population (15 percent) and, in recent
elections, young black people have voted at a higher rate than any other race. But,
similar to North Carolina, where young black voters were key in 2008, it's unclear if
black turnout in Pennsylvania will match previous levels this year.
2. New Hampshire
Young voters have a disproportionately high impact in New Hampshire, and
Kawashima­Ginsberg says that's because they've had a high turnout in recent
elections.
She attributes the strong turnout to two main factors:
1. The demographics of New Hampshire's millennial population — a large percentage are
college­educated whites, who tend to vote in high numbers.
2. The system and processes — New Hampshire holds the first primary in the country and
allows for same­day registration.
"[New Hampshire] has a specific style of candidate outreach, which gets [candidates]
into the community, in people's homes ... so these young people are very likely to have
direct contact with presidential candidates," said Kawashima­Ginsberg. "Those things
can really enhance the sense of efficacy that young people's votes matter."
1. Iowa
New Hampshire and Iowa ranked almost identically in CIRCLE's index, differing by
just 1/1,000th of a point.
The reason the two are so similar is likely because they both benefit from enthusiasm
generated during the primary season. Since Iowa is home to the first nominating
contest in the country, it's almost inevitable that young people either meet candidates
in person or hear about them through TV advertisements.
"Throughout the state, there's just a lot of resources going to outreach," said
Kawashima­Ginsberg, and, like in New Hampshire, the side­effects of that outreach
linger into the November general election. On average, Census data show that about
60 percent of 18­ to 29­year­olds voted in the past three presidential elections in both
states. Nationally, about 45 percent of young people voted in the past three elections,
and about 35 percent for the two elections before that.
Methodology: CIRCLE used a variety of metrics, including, but not limited to: the
percentage of the population under 30, the percentage of 18­ to 29­year­olds
currently enrolled in college, youth turnout in past presidential elections and the
predicted competitiveness of the 2016 race. The index also accounted for the
economic health of a state's youth population, since education and wealth tend to
predict voter participation.
© 2016 npr
4/13/2016
nbcnews.com
Name:
Date:
NEWS JAN 19 2016, 2:17 PM ET
For 2016, Almost Half the Latino Electorate Will Be
Millennials
by SUZANNE GAMBOA
Almost half of eligible Latino voters are millennials, helping grow the electorate, but presenting
significant challenges for turnout, according to the latest Pew Research Center report on
Hispanics.
Also, immigrants who have become U.S. citizens and Puerto Ricans who have moved to the
mainland from the island increased Hispanic eligible voters to a record 27.3 million for this
year's elections, according to the report.
For about 3.2 million young Latinos, this year will be their first chance to vote in a presidential
race. Those newest potential voters make up 44 percent of the Latino electorate.
That's a higher share than young voters of other races and ethnicities make up of their own
communities. Black millennials are 35 percent of all black voters; Asian millennials 30 percent
and white millennials 27.
"This goes to show Latino youth is a big part of the voter story," said Mark Hugo Lopez, Pew's
director of Hispanic research.
The youth of the electorate wasn't an unknown.
The Latino community and its leaders have been talking, and in some cases, warning, for years
about the coming wave of young Latinos. The fact that 50,000 to 70,000 U.S.-born Latinos
(meaning they are U.S. citizens) were turning 18 yearly has become a community mantra in the
discussion of potential political Latino influence and the challenges of mobilizing a difficult-tomobilize group of voters.
THE NEWEST POTENTIAL VOTERS MAKE UP 44
PERCENT OF THE LATINO ELECTORATE.
The Latino electorate's youth also has been something of an alarm for the community, which
has become and will continue to be dependent on a cohort of voters with a poor record of
showing up at the polls. In 2012, just 37.8 percent of Latino millennials voted.
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"This does present a number of challenges because of the relative
size of the youth vote,"
Lopez said. It means challenges in getting out the vote, teaching people to register and getting
them registered and getting them to the polls, not just for this election but for at least two
decades to come, Lopez said.
"That doesn't mean they shouldn't be reached," he said.
Luis Blanco, a digital producer of Latino content, said he recognized that challenge after
meeting with a few voting eligible Latino millennials and realizing the political interest of the
youths.
Together Blanco, 62, and the Latino youths launched MasPOLITICA, a YouTube production that
uses video shorts and Latino actors to teach young Latinos about the political system, political
issues, "who's behind it - and who pays for it!" as the MasPOLITICA website says.
"This is the reason why we created the project," Blanco said referring to the latest Pew
numbers. "To get Latinos, as we say, get them inspired, teach them the basics and hopefully
get them to participate."
Related: For Latinos, 1965 Voting Rights Act Came a Decade Later
The tutorials are not like the Sunday talk shows; they are done in English but have some
Spanish and Latino cultural references. They also mix in comedy and sarcasm and are
intentionally not too polished. They are non-partisan, but progressive.
Related: Knocking on Doors, Getting Latinos to Caucus in Iowa, Impact Primaries
Blanco, who is raising two children, ages 23 and 25, acknowledged politics is a "hard sale" but
the MasPOLITICA videos have a strong following on Twitter.
"What we have discovered is every time we do something on immigration, you can see the
response. It is because they realize the situation of their parents and they grew up hearing and
suffering the whole immigration issue on Latinos," Blanco said.
Immigration has been a central issue in the 2016 elections, with younger Latino voters pushing
Democrats to back Obama's executive actions that would defer deportations for millions of
immigrants, to back a path to citizenship and to end accepting contributions from private
companies that build and run immigrant detention facilities.
AN ESTIMATED 1.2 MILLION LATINO IMMIGRANTS
HAVE BECOME U.S. CITIZENS BETWEEN NOVEMBER
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HAVE BECOME U.S. CITIZENS BETWEEN
NOVEMBER
2012 AND NOVEMBER 2016. THEIR SHARE OF THE
ELECTORATE HAS BEEN STEADY AT ABOUT 25
PERCENT.
In the race for the Republican nomination, the political conversation about immigration shifted
further right when Donald Trump jumped in the competition.
But immigrants are becoming voting eligible through naturalizations at about the same rate as
young Latinos.
An estimated 1.2 million Latinos immigrants have become U.S. citizens between November
2012 and November 2016, Pew said. Their share of the electorate has been steady at about 25
percent.
And, they do a better job of showing up at the polls. In 2012, 53.6 percent of immigrant Latinos
voted.
However, immigrant Latino millennials' turnout in 2012 was 37.8 percent, similar to U.S. born
Latino millennials.
Finally, some 227,000 Puerto Rican adults moved from the island to the U.S. mainland. They
are citizens so those who register, have the right to vote. Their biggest impact is expected to
be in Florida.
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http://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/2016-almost-half-latino-electorate-will-be-millennials-n499606
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