More than 6.6 million Latinos voted in last year’s election—a record for a midterm—according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Pew Hispanic Center, a project of the Pew Research Center. Latinos also were a larger share of the electorate in 2010 than in any previous midterm election, representing 6.9% of all voters, up from 5.8% in 2006.¹

Rapid population growth has helped fuel Latinos’ increasing electoral participation. According to the Census Bureau, 50.5 million Hispanics were counted by the 2010 Census, up from 35.3 million in 2000 (Passel, Cohn and Lopez, 2011). Over the same decade, the number of Latino eligible voters—adults who are U.S. citizens—also increased, from 13.2 million in 2000 to 21.3 million in 2010.

However, even though more Latinos than ever are participating in the nation’s elections, their representation among the electorate remains below their representation in the general population. In 2010, 16.3% of the nation’s population was Latino, but only 10.1% of eligible voters and fewer than 7% of voters were Latino.

This gap is driven by two demographic factors—youth and non-citizenship. More than one third of Latinos (34.9%) are younger than the voting age of 18, a share greater than that of any other group. And an additional 22.4% are of voting age, but are not U.S. citizens. As a result, the share of the Latino population eligible to vote is smaller than it is among any other group. Just 42.7% of the nation’s Latino population is eligible to vote, while more than three-in-four (77.7%) of whites², two-thirds of blacks (67.2%) and more than half of Asians (52.8%) are eligible to vote. Even so, the number of Latino eligible voters will continue to grow in the coming decades as a steady stream of U.S. born Latinos becomes eligible to vote by turning 18—more than 600,000 did so annually between 2006 and 2010.

Yet, even among eligible voters, Latino participation rates have lagged behind that of other groups in recent elections. In 2010, 31.2% of Latino eligible voters say they voted, while nearly half (48.6%) of white eligible voters and 44.0% of black eligible voters said the same. This gap in participation—17.4 percentage points between Latinos and whites—has persisted in recent midterm election years, though it is down from a record 19.3 percentage points in 2006. A similar gap in voter turnout rates between Latinos and whites exists in presidential election years as well (Lopez and Taylor, 2009).

Latino voter turnout rates lag other groups partly because of the large share of Latino eligible voters that are under 30. In 2010, 31.3% of Latino eligible voters were ages 18 to 29, while 19.2% of white, 25.6% of black and 20.7% of Asian eligible voters were under 30. Historically, young people have voted at lower rates than older eligible voters. And among young voters, Latinos have had some of the lowest voter participation rates—in 2010 just 17.6% of young Latino eligible voters voted (Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, 2011). In contrast, among Latino eligible voters ages 30 and older, the voter turnout rate was higher—37.4% in 2010. However, among older voters the gap in voter turnout rates between Latinos and whites—16.9 percentage points—is nearly as large as it is between all Latino eligible voters and all white eligible voters—17.4 percentage points.

The gap in voter participation between Latinos and others is also partly due to fast growth in the number of Latinos who do not vote but are eligible to do so. Between 2006 and 2010 the number of Latino voters increased by 18.8%, but the number of Latino non-voters increased more rapidly, by 25.0%.

Just as with other populations, differences in voter turnout rates exist among Latino eligible voters. In 2010, Latino college graduates had the highest voter turnout rate (50.3%) among Latino eligible voters, while young Latinos ages 18 to 29 had the lowest (17.6%). Differences in participation rates also exist by country of origin. Nearly half (49.3%) of Cuban-origin Latinos voted in 2010 compared with 29.6% of Puerto Rican-origin Latinos and 28.7% of Mexican-origin Latinos. Similarly, a greater share of naturalized foreign-born Latinos than native-born Latinos voted—36.6% versus 29.2%.

Terminology

• Voting Age Population: Persons ages 18 and older.
• Voting Eligible Population: Persons ages 18 and older who are U.S. citizens.
• Registered Voter Population: Persons who say they were registered to vote in the 2010 election.
• Voter Population or Voter Turnout: Persons who say they voted in the November 2010 election.
• Voter Turnout Rate: Share of the voting eligible population who say they voted.

Tuesday’s midterm elections were historic for Hispanics. For the first time ever, three Latino candidates—all of them Republicans—won top statewide offices. In New Mexico, voters elected the nation’s first Latina governor, Republican Susana Martinez. In Nevada, Republican Brian Sandoval won the governor’s race and became Nevada’s first Hispanic governor. And in Florida, Republican Marco Rubio won the U.S. Senate race.¹

Despite these big top-of-the-ticket wins for Republican Hispanic candidates, Democratic candidates won the Latino vote, usually by wide margins. For example, according to the national House exit poll,² 60% of Latino voters supported Democratic candidates in House races while 38% supported Republican candidates.

This majority support for Democratic candidates continues a pattern among Latino voters. In 2006, according to the national exit poll, 69% of Latinos voted for Democratic candidates in their Congressional district races, while 30% supported Republicans.³ In the 2008 presidential election, Latinos supported Democrat Barack Obama by a margin of more than two-to-one over Republican John McCain—67% versus 31% according to a Pew Hispanic Center analysis of the national exit poll (Lopez, 2008).

The candidacies of Republicans Rubio and Sandoval drew sharply different levels of support from Latino voters. In Florida, Rubio captured 55% of the Latino vote in his race for the Senate–identical to the share of the white vote he won (55%). In Nevada, however, Sandoval won a third (33%) of the Latino vote in his race for governor; he did much better among whites, winning 62% of the vote according to the state exit poll. No exit polls were done in New Mexico, so it is not possible to analyze the voting patterns among Latinos and other groups in Martinez’s victorious gubernatorial campaign.

According to the national House exit poll, Latinos represented the same share of all voters this year that they did in 2006—8%. Overall, more than 19 million Latinos were eligible to vote⁴ in this year’s midterm elections, more than in any previous election (Lopez, 2010). Latinos also represent a growing share of all eligible voters and substantial shares of eligible voters in many states. More than 9% of eligible voters nationwide are Latino, up from 8.6% in 2006 (Pew Hispanic Center, 2006).

With the exception of Florida, in states where exit polling data is available, Democratic candidates won the Latino vote, usually by wide margins. In California’s senate race, Democrat Barbara Boxer won 65% of the Latino vote while Republican Carly Fiorina won 29%. In California’s gubernatorial race, Democrat Jerry Brown won 64% of California’s Latino vote while Republican Meg Whitman won 31%. In Nevada, Latinos supported Democrat Harry Reid over Republican Sharron Angle by a greater than two-to-one margin—69% versus 30%. Latino voters in Arizona, Nevada and Texas similarly supported Democratic candidates over Republican candidates in Senate and gubernatorial races.

In Florida Hispanic voters gave greater support to Republican candidates than elsewhere. As noted above, in Florida’s Senate race, more than half (55%) of Hispanic voters supported Republican Rubio over Independent Charlie Crist (25%) and Democrat Kendrick Meek (20%). In Florida’s governor vote, 48% of Hispanic voters supported Democrat Alex Sink and half (50%) supported Republican Rick Scott, according to the state exit poll. The Hispanic vote in Florida has traditionally tilted more Republican than in other states, owing largely to the presence of the GOP-leaning Cuban-American community.

Just as in previous elections, Hispanics nationwide voted differently than white non-Hispanic voters. According to the national exit polls, white non-Hispanics supported Republican congressional candidates over Democratic candidates 60% to 37%. In 2006, half (51%) of white non-Hispanics voted for Republican candidates and 47% voted for Democratic candidates. In many state races, Republican candidates won the white non-Hispanic vote while Democratic candidates won the Latino vote.

This report contains an analysis of exit poll results for the Latino vote nationally in the U.S. House of Representatives races. It also contains an analysis of gubernatorial and Senate races in the states of Arizona, California, Florida and Nevada, and the gubernatorial race in Texas.

Reweighting of the 2010 National Election Pool’s National and State Exit Polls

The vote share results shown in this report reflect updates to the National Election Pool’s national and state exit polls as of Wednesday, December 30, 2010. The reweighting resulted in changes in the Republican vs. Democratic share of the Latino U.S. House vote nationally as well as in several statewide races.

About this Report

Exit poll results for this report were obtained from CNN’s Election 2010 website and are based on the Edison Research’s national and state exit poll surveys of voters as reported on December 30, 2010. In addition to an analysis of the national Latino vote, five states were examined. These states are Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada and Texas.

A Note on Terminology

The terms “Latino” and “Hispanic” are used interchangeably in this report.

The terms “whites,” and “blacks” are used to refer to the non-Hispanic components of their population.

Hispanics in Arizona’s Eligible Voter Population

• The Hispanic population in Arizona is the fifth-largest in the nation. Nearly 2 million Hispanics reside in Arizona, 4% of all Hispanics in the United States.
• The population in Arizona is 30% Hispanic, the fourth-highest Hispanic population share nationally.
• There are 766,000 eligible Hispanic voters in Arizona—the fifth-largest Hispanic eligible-voter population nationally. California ranks first with 5.4 million.
• Nearly two-in-ten (18%) of eligible voters in Arizona are Latinos, the fourth-largest Hispanic eligible voter population share nationally. New Mexico ranks first with 38%.
• Some 39% of Latinos in Arizona are eligible to vote, ranking Arizona 23rd nationwide in the share of the Hispanic population that is eligible to vote. In contrast, 79% of the state’s white population is eligible to vote.

Characteristics of Eligible Voters

• Age. One-third of Hispanic eligible voters in Arizona (32%) are ages 18 to 29, similar to the share of all Latino eligible voters nationwide (31%) in that age range. By contrast, only 22% of all Arizona eligible voters and 22% of all U.S. eligible voters are ages 18 to 29.
• Citizenship. Two-in-ten of Hispanic eligible voters in Arizona (18%) are naturalized U.S. citizens, compared with 7% of all Arizona eligible voters. Hispanic eligible voters in Arizona are more likely to be native-born citizens (82%) than are Hispanic eligible voters nationwide (74%).
• Educational Attainment. One-quarter of Latino eligible voters in Arizona (26%) have not completed high school, more than double the 12% of all Arizona eligible voters who have not completed high school.
• Homeownership. Two-thirds of Hispanic eligible voters in Arizona (66%) live in owner-occupied homes compared with 60% of all Hispanic eligible voters nationwide. Somewhat greater shares of all eligible voters in Arizona (71%) and all eligible voters nationwide (70%) live in owner-occupied homes.

Characteristics of Eligible Voters in Arizona, by Race and Ethnicity

• Number of Latino Eligible Voters. Latino eligible voters outnumber Native American eligible voters in Arizona by more than 4 to 1 and black eligible voters by more than 5 to 1.
• Age. Latino and Native American eligible voters are younger than black and white eligible voters in Arizona. Equal shares of Latinos and Native Americans (32%) are ages 18 to 29 compared with 25% of black eligible voters and 18% of white eligible voters.
• Educational Attainment. Hispanic eligible voters have lower levels of education than do white and black eligible voters in Arizona. Some 26% of Hispanic eligible voters have not obtained at least a high school diploma compared with 13% of black eligible voters and 8% of white eligible voters.
• Homeownership. Hispanic eligible voters (66%) are more likely to live in owner-occupied homes than Native American (57%) and black (43%) eligible voters in Arizona, but they are less likely to do so than white Arizona eligible voters (75%).

Hispanics in California’s Eligible Voter Population

• The Hispanic population in California is the largest in the nation. More than 13.4 million Hispanics reside in California, 29% of all Hispanics in the United States.
• The population in California is 37% Hispanic, the second-highest Hispanic population share nationally.
• There are 5.4 million eligible Hispanic voters in California—the largest Hispanic eligible-voter population nationally. Texas ranks second with 3.8 million.
• One-quarter (24%) of eligible voters in California are Latinos, the third-largest Hispanic eligible voter population share nationally. New Mexico ranks first with 38%.
• Some 40% of Latinos in California are eligible to vote, ranking California 22nd nationwide in the share of the Hispanic population that is eligible to vote. In contrast, 79% of the state’s white population is eligible to vote.

Characteristics of Eligible Voters

• Age. One third of Hispanic eligible voters in California (34%) are ages 18 to 29. By contrast, only 24% of all California eligible voters, 31% of Hispanic eligible voters nationwide and 22% of all U.S. eligible voters are in that age range.
• Citizenship. Nearly three-in-ten of Hispanic eligible voters in California (28%) are naturalized U.S. citizens, compared with 19% of all California eligible voters. Nationwide, 93% of all eligible voters are citizens by birth, as are 74% of all Hispanic voters, compared with 72% of California Hispanic eligible voters.
• Educational Attainment. Among Latino eligible voters in California 27% have not completed high school, similar to the share of all Latino eligible voters nationwide. Just 13% of all California eligible voters and all eligible voters nationwide have not completed high school.
• Homeownership. Hispanic eligible voters in California are less likely as all California eligible voters to live in an owner-occupied home—59% versus 63%. In contrast, a greater share of all eligible voters nationwide (70%) live in owner-occupied homes.

Characteristics of Eligible Voters in California, by Race and Ethnicity

• Number of Latino Eligible Voters. Latino eligible voters outnumber black eligible voters in California by more than 3 to 1—5.4 million versus 1.6 million. Twice as many Hispanics as Asians are eligible to vote in California—5.4 million versus 1.6 million.
• Age. In California, Latino eligible voters are younger than white, black and Asian eligible voters. More than one-in-three (34%) Latino eligible voters are ages 18 to 29 compared with 19% of white, 27% of black and 20% of Asian eligible voters.
• Citizenship. Asian eligible voters in California are more than twice as likely as Latino eligible voters to be naturalized citizens—70% versus 28%.
• Homeownership. California Latino eligible voters (59%) are less likely to live in owner-occupied homes than white (67%) and Asian (68%) eligible voters in California.

Hispanics in Colorado’s Eligible Voter Population

• The Hispanic population in Colorado is the eighth-largest in the nation. Nearly 1 million Hispanics reside in Colorado, 2% of all Hispanics in the United States.
• The population in Colorado is 20% Hispanic, the seventh-highest Hispanic population share nationally.
• There are 434,000 eligible Hispanic voters in Colorado—the ninth-largest Hispanic eligible-voter population nationally. California ranks first with 5.4 million.
• One-in-eight (13%) of eligible voters in Colorado are Latinos, the seventh-largest Hispanic eligible voter population share nationally. New Mexico ranks first with 38%.
• Some 44% of Latinos in Colorado are eligible to vote, ranking Colorado 20th nationwide in the share of the Hispanic population that is eligible to vote. In contrast, 78% of the state’s white population is eligible to vote.

Characteristics of Eligible Voters

• Age. Three-in-ten of Hispanic eligible voters in Colorado (30%) are ages 18 to 29, similar to the share for all Latino eligible voters nationwide (31%). By contrast, only 22% of all Colorado eligible voters and 22% of all U.S. eligible voters are ages 18 to 29.
• Citizenship. One-in-ten of Hispanic eligible voters in Colorado (10%) are naturalized U.S. citizens compared, with 5% of all Colorado eligible voters. Hispanic eligible voters in Colorado are more likely to be native-born citizens (90%) than are Hispanic eligible voters nationwide (74%).
• Educational Attainment. One-quarter of Latino eligible voters in Colorado (23%) have not completed high school. That was less than the rate for all Latino eligible voters—26%—but greater than the rate for U.S. eligible voters nationwide—13%.
• Homeownership. Six-in-ten of Hispanic eligible voters in Colorado (60%) live in owner-occupied homes, a similar share as Hispanic eligible voters nationwide. By contrast, 70% of U.S. eligible voters live in owner-occupied homes.

Characteristics of Eligible Voters in Colorado, by Race and Ethnicity

• Number of Latino Eligible Voters. White eligible voters outnumber Hispanic eligible voters in Colorado by more than 6 to 1.
• Age. Latino eligible voters are younger than white eligible voters in Colorado. Among Latino eligible voters, 30% are ages 18 to 29 compared with 21% of white eligible voters.
• Educational Attainment. Hispanic eligible voters have lower levels of education than do white eligible voters in Colorado. Some 23% of Hispanic eligible voters have not obtained at least a high school diploma compared with 6% of white eligible voters.
• Homeownership. Hispanic eligible voters are less likely than white eligible voters in Colorado to live in owner-occupied homes—60% versus 74%.

Hispanics in Connecticut’s Eligible Voter Population

• The Hispanic population in Connecticut is the 17th-largest in the nation. Some 424,000 Hispanics reside in Connecticut.
• The population in Connecticut is 12% Hispanic, the 11th-highest Hispanic population share nationally.
• There are 202,000 eligible Hispanic voters in Connecticut—the 14th-largest Hispanic eligible-voter population nationally. California ranks first with 5.4 million.
• More than 8% of eligible voters in Connecticut are Latinos, the 11th-largest Hispanic eligible voter population share nationally. New Mexico ranks first with 38%.
• Nearly half (48%) of Latinos in Connecticut are eligible to vote, ranking Connecticut 14th nationwide in the share of the Hispanic population that is eligible to vote. In contrast, 77% of the state’s white population is eligible to vote.

Characteristics of Eligible Voters

• Age. Three-in-ten of Hispanic eligible voters in Connecticut (29%) are ages 18 to 29, less than the share of all Latino eligible voters nationwide (31%) in that age range. By contrast, only 19% of all Connecticut eligible voters and 22% of all U.S. eligible voters are ages 18 to 29.
• Citizenship. Some 16% of Hispanic eligible voters in Connecticut are naturalized U.S. citizens, compared with 8% of all Connecticut eligible voters. Hispanic eligible voters in Connecticut are more likely to be native-born citizens (84%) than are Hispanic eligible voters nationwide (74%).
• Educational Attainment. Three-in-ten of Latino eligible voters in Connecticut (29%) have not completed high school. That was greater than the rate for all Latino eligible voters—26%—and the rate for U.S. eligible voters nationwide—13%.
• Homeownership. Less than half of Hispanic eligible voters in Connecticut (43%) live in owner-occupied homes, compared with 60% of all Hispanic eligible voters nationwide. Somewhat greater shares of all eligible voters in Connecticut (73%) and all eligible voters nationwide (70%) live in owner-occupied homes.

Characteristics of Eligible Voters in Connecticut, by Race and Ethnicity

• Number of Latino Eligible Voters. White eligible voters outnumber Hispanic eligible voters in Connecticut by nearly 10 to 1.
• Age. Latino eligible voters are younger than black and white eligible voters in Connecticut. Among Latino eligible voters, 29% are ages 18 to 29 compared with 26% of black and 17% of white eligible voters.
• Educational Attainment. Hispanic eligible voters have lower levels of education than do black and white eligible voters in Connecticut. Some 29% of Hispanic eligible voters have not obtained at least a high school diploma compared with 19% of black and 8% of white eligible voters.
• Homeownership. Hispanic eligible voters are less likely than white eligible voters in Connecticut to live in owner-occupied homes—43% versus 79%.

Hispanics in the District of Columbia’s Eligible Voter Population

• The Hispanic population in the District of Columbia is the 42nd-largest in the nation. Some 51,000 Hispanics reside in the District of Columbia.
• The population in the District of Columbia is 9% Hispanic, the 18th-highest Hispanic population share nationally.
• There are 16,000 eligible Hispanic voters in the District of Columbia—the 45th-largest Hispanic eligible-voter population nationally. California ranks first with 5.4 million.
• Some 4% of eligible voters in the District of Columbia are Latinos, the 23rd-largest Hispanic eligible voter population share nationally. New Mexico ranks first with 38%.
• Three-in-ten (32%) of Latinos in the District of Columbia are eligible to vote, ranking the District of Columbia 41st nationwide in the share of the Hispanic population that is eligible to vote. In contrast, 84% of the white population is eligible to vote.

Characteristics of Eligible Voters

• Age. Three-in-ten (28%) of Hispanic eligible voters in the District of Columbia are ages 18 to 29, less than the share of all Latino eligible voters nationwide (31%) in that age range. By contrast, only 22% of all U.S. eligible voters are ages 18 to 29.
• Citizenship. Some 37% of Hispanic eligible voters in the District of Columbia are naturalized U.S. citizens, compared with 6% of all District of Columbia eligible voters. Hispanic eligible voters in the District of Columbia are less likely to be native-born citizens (63%) than are Hispanic eligible voters nationwide (74%).
• Educational Attainment. Some 15% of Latino eligible voters in the District of Columbia have not completed high school. That was less than the rate for all Latino eligible voters—26%—but greater than the rate for U.S. eligible voters nationwide—13%.
• Homeownership. Four-in-ten of Hispanic eligible voters in the District of Columbia (41%) live in owner-occupied homes, compared with 60% of all Hispanic eligible voters nationwide. A somewhat greater share of U.S. eligible voters (70%) live in owner-occupied homes.

Characteristics of Eligible Voters in the District of Columbia, by Race and Ethnicity

• Number of Latino Eligible Voters. Black eligible voters outnumber Latino eligible voters in the District of Columbia by a margin of 14 to 1. Whites outnumber Latino eligible voters by 10 to 1.
• Age. Hispanic eligible voters are younger than black eligible voters in the District of Columbia—28% of Hispanic eligible voters are ages 18 to 29 compared with 23% of black eligible voters.
• Educational Attainment. Hispanic eligible voters have lower levels of education than do white eligible voters but higher levels than black eligible voters in the District of Columbia. Some 44% of Hispanics have obtained at least a bachelor’s degree compared with 79% of white and 19% of black eligible voters.
• Homeownership. Hispanic eligible voters are less likely than white eligible voters in the District of Columbia to live in owner-occupied homes—41% versus 50%.

Hispanics in Florida’s Eligible Voter Population

• The Hispanic population in Florida is the third-largest in the nation. More than 3.8 million Hispanics reside in Florida, 8% of all Hispanics in the United States.
• The population in Florida is 21% Hispanic, the sixth-highest Hispanic population share nationally.
• There are 1.8 million eligible Hispanic voters in Florida—the third-largest Hispanic eligible-voter population nationally. California ranks first with 5.4 million.
• Some 15% of eligible voters in Florida are Latinos, the fifth-largest Hispanic eligible voter population share nationally. New Mexico ranks first with 38%.
• One-half (48%) of Latinos in Florida are eligible to vote, ranking Florida 13th nationwide in the share of the Hispanic population that is eligible to vote. In contrast, 80% of the state’s white population is eligible to vote.

Characteristics of Eligible Voters

• Age. Florida’s Hispanic eligible voters are younger than all eligible voters in Florida—23% of Hispanic eligible voters in Florida are ages 18 to 29 versus 19% of all Florida eligible voters.
• Citizenship. Some 44% of Hispanic eligible voters in Florida are naturalized U.S. citizens, compared with 12% of all Florida eligible voters. Hispanic eligible voters in Florida are less likely to be native-born citizens (56%) than are Hispanic eligible voters nationwide (74%).
• Educational Attainment. Two-in-ten of Latino eligible voters in Florida (21%) have not completed high school. That was less than the rate for all Latino eligible voters—26%—but greater than the rate for U.S. eligible voters nationwide—13%.
• Homeownership. Two-thirds of Hispanic eligible voters in Florida (68%) live in owner-occupied homes, compared with 60% of all Hispanic eligible voters nationwide. Somewhat greater shares of all eligible voters in Florida (72%) and all eligible voters nationwide (70%) live in owner-occupied
  homes.

Characteristics of Eligible Voters in Florida, by Race and Ethnicity

• Number of Latino Eligible Voters. White eligible voters outnumber Hispanic and black eligible voters in Florida by more than 4 to 1.
• Age. Black eligible voters are younger than Hispanic or white eligible voters in Florida—28% of black eligible voters are ages 18 to 29 compared with 23% of Hispanic and 16% of white eligible voters.
• Educational Attainment. Hispanic eligible voters in Florida are more likely than blacks, but less likely than whites, to have attended college or earned at least a bachelor’s degree—51% of Hispanic eligible voters have attended college or earned at least a bachelor’s degree compared with 59% of white and 45% of black eligible voters.
• Homeownership. Hispanic eligible voters are less likely than white eligible voters in Florida to live in owner-occupied homes—68% versus 77%.

Hispanics in Georgia’s Eligible Voter Population

• The Hispanic population in Georgia is the 10th-largest in the nation. Some 780,000 Hispanics reside in Georgia, 2% of all Hispanics in the United States.
• The population in Georgia is 8% Hispanic, the 23rd-highest Hispanic population share nationally.
• There are 178,000 eligible Hispanic voters in Georgia—the 17th-largest Hispanic eligible-voter population nationally. California ranks first with 5.4 million.
• Some 3% of eligible voters in Georgia are Latinos, the 29th-largest Hispanic eligible voter population share nationally. New Mexico ranks first with 38%.
• One-quarter (23%) of Latinos in Georgia are eligible to vote, ranking Georgia 50th nationwide in the share of the Hispanic population that is eligible to vote. In contrast, 76% of the state’s white population is eligible to vote.

Characteristics of Eligible Voters

• Age. One-third of Hispanic eligible voters in Georgia (32%) are ages 18 to 29, similar to the share of all Latino eligible voters nationwide (31%) in that age range. By contrast, only 23% of all Georgia eligible voters and 22% of all U.S. eligible voters are ages 18 to 29.
• Citizenship. One-third of Hispanic eligible voters in Georgia (34%) are naturalized U.S. citizens, compared with 4% of all Georgia eligible voters. Hispanic eligible voters in Georgia are less likely to be native-born citizens (66%) than are Hispanic eligible voters nationwide (74%).
• Educational Attainment. Two-in-ten of Latino eligible voters in Georgia (22%) have not completed high school. That was less than the rate for all Latino eligible voters—26%—but greater than the rate for U.S. eligible voters nationwide—13%.
• Homeownership. More than six-in-ten of Hispanic eligible voters in Georgia (63%) live in owner-occupied homes, compared with 60% of all Hispanic eligible voters nationwide. Seven-in-ten (70%) of all eligible voters in Georgia and eligible voters nationwide live in owner-occupied homes.

Characteristics of Eligible Voters in Georgia, by Race and Ethnicity

• Number of Latino Eligible Voters. Among the total population in Georgia, whites outnumber Hispanics by a margin of 7 to 1. However, white eligible voters outnumber Hispanic eligible voters in Georgia by 24 to 1.
• Age. Latino eligible voters are younger than black and white eligible voters in Georgia. More than three-in-ten (32%) of Latinos are ages 18 to 29 compared with 27% of black eligible voters and 20% of white eligible voters.
• Educational Attainment. Hispanic eligible voters have lower levels of education than do white eligible voters in Georgia. Some 22% of Hispanic eligible voters have not obtained at least a high school diploma compared with 13% of white eligible voters.
• Homeownership. Hispanic eligible voters are less likely than white eligible voters in Georgia to live in owner-occupied homes—63% versus 77%.

Hispanics in Hawaii’s Eligible Voter Population

• The Hispanic population in Hawaii is the 38th-largest in the nation. Some 109,000 Hispanics reside in Hawaii.
• The population in Hawaii is 8% Hispanic, the 20th-highest Hispanic population share nationally.
• There are 62,000 eligible Hispanic voters in Hawaii—the 30th-largest Hispanic eligible-voter population nationally. California ranks first with 5.4 million.
• Some 7% of eligible voters in Hawaii are Latinos, the 12th-largest Hispanic eligible voter population share nationally. New Mexico ranks first with 38%.
• Nearly six-in-ten (57%) of Latinos in Hawaii are eligible to vote, ranking Hawaii fourth nationwide in the share of the Hispanic population that is eligible to vote. In contrast, 80% of the state’s white population is eligible to vote.

Characteristics of Eligible Voters

• Age. Some 36% of Hispanic eligible voters in Hawaii are ages 18 to 29, greater than the share of all Latino eligible voters nationwide (31%) in that age range. By contrast, only 22% of all Hawaii eligible voters and U.S. eligible voters are ages 18 to 29.
• Citizenship. One-in-ten of Hispanic eligible voters in Hawaii (10%) are naturalized U.S. citizens, compared with 13% of all Hawaii eligible voters. Hispanic eligible voters in Hawaii are more likely to be native-born citizens (90%) than are Hispanic eligible voters nationwide (74%).
• Educational Attainment. One-in-ten of Latino eligible voters in Hawaii (11%) have not completed high school. That was less than the rate for all Latino eligible voters—26%—and the rate for U.S. eligible voters nationwide—13%.
• Homeownership. Less than half of Hispanic eligible voters in Hawaii (45%) live in owner-occupied homes, compared with 60% of all Hispanic eligible voters nationwide. Somewhat greater shares of all eligible voters in Hawaii (63%) and all eligible voters nationwide (70%) live in owner-occupied homes.

Characteristics of Eligible Voters in Hawaii, by Race and Ethnicity

• Number of Latino Eligible Voters. Asian eligible voters outnumber Latino eligible voters in Hawaii by a margin of more than 5 to 1—352,000 Asians compared with 62,000 Hispanic eligible voters.
• Age. Latino eligible voters are younger than white and Asian eligible voters in Hawaii. More than one third (36%) of Latinos are ages 18 to 29 compared with 23% of white eligible voters and 13% of Asian eligible voters.
• Educational Attainment. Hispanic eligible voters in Hawaii have lower levels of education than do Asians or white voters. A majority 52% of Hispanic eligible voters have attended college or earned at least a bachelor’s degree compared with 60% of Asian and 74% of white eligible voters.
• Homeownership. Hispanic eligible voters are less likely than white or Asian eligible voters in Hawaii to live in owner-occupied homes—45% versus 53% and 78%, respectively.