Similar behavior, different results Latinos and the 1996 elections in Colorado

Rodney E. Hero, Patricia A. Jaramillo, John C. Halpin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Colorado is one of nine states with a significant Latino population. Evidence from the early 1990s indicates that Latinos made up approximately 13 percent of the Colorado population and are predominantly Mexican American. The U.S. Census Bureau projected that the Latino voting-age population for the 1996 election would comprise 12 percent of the state electorate (U.S. Census 1996). Because it has a high rate of adult citizenship, the Colorado Latino population, if mobilized and relatively cohesive, can have significant impacts on statewide elections, particularly in close races. Notably, Colorado's Latino voters in presidential elections often comprise a proportion quite comparable to their proportion in the general population. This contrasts with other states with large Latino populations where there is often a large gap between the percent of Latinos in the population and the Latino share of actual voters. In the 1992 elections in Colorado, for example, Latino impact appeared substantial (Hero 1996). In 1996, Latino voting patterns were quite similar to those of 1992. For several reasons outside of the control of the Latino community, however, the impact of that vote was diminished.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAwash in the Mainstream
Subtitle of host publicationLatino Politics in the 1996 Election
PublisherTaylor and Francis
Pages101-116
Number of pages16
ISBN (Electronic)9780429701658
ISBN (Print)0813366860, 9780367007423
StatePublished - Jan 1 2019
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Social Sciences

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