Welcome to The Election Beat, a weekly newsletter bringing you news and information about the election and uplifting the voices of readers like you.
Hola Boyle Heights,
We’ve all heard it: the Latino vote could be decisive in the 2024 election.
Okay, let’s look at it by the numbers:
There are about 36 million eligible Latino voters this year – a 4 million increase from 2020 – making up the second-largest voting bloc in the country. In crucial battleground states like Arizona, nearly one in four voters is expected to be Latino, and in Nevada almost 20%.
In L.A. County, Latinos are the largest racial or ethnic group of eligible voters at 40%.
So essentially, the outcome in November may hinge on the decisions made by Latino eligible voters.
It’s important to note, however, that the Latino vote is also diverse. What matters to a Mexican American could vary from what a Cuban American cares about. Unfortunately we didn’t poll the wide range of Latinos across the country– but we did survey the largely Latino community of Boyle Heights and L.A.’s Council District 14.
So what are the top national priorities for residents in this Eastside region and how do they compare to those of Latinos across the U.S.?
Our Election Beat survey shows the top national issue for CD14 was was driven by the economy. Inflation came in first, followed by healthcare and crime and safety.
Those priorities mirror the views of Latino voters across the U.S., who said their top issues were the economy, followed by healthcare and violent crime, according to the Pew Research Center.
Yet priorities look different for Latino voters who support former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, the same poll shows. Among Trump’s Latino supporters, the economy, violent crime and immigration are the three top issues. For Latinos who back Harris, the economy, healthcare and gun policy top the list.
With only a few weeks to go before Election Day, did the candidates do enough to share their platforms and win your vote? Let us know.
ICYMI: CD14 Candidate Forum
Missed our Council District 14 candidate forum last week? It was a packed house as Kevin de León and Ysabel Jurado faced the Boyle Heights community and threw jabs at each other once again. Read a full recap.
We also presented the candidates with questions based on a community survey with nearly 500 responses. See how the candidates responded to residents’ top issues.
Did you attend the forum and want to give us feedback, email editor@boyleheightsbeat.org.
More Election News
The weight of eldest immigrant daughters in an election: Being a first-time voter in this upcoming election is nerve-racking enough. Having to help your family members through the process is even harder. In a special commentary, Carmen Gonzalez, The Beat’s student journalism manager, detailed the pressures of being the eldest daughter in a family of newly naturalized voters during an election year. (Boyle Heights Beat)
Santa Ana’s Measure DD could set precedent for noncitizen voting in California: Non-citizens in California cannot register to vote in federal elections. However, some local municipalities, like San Francisco, allow certain non-citizens to vote in school board elections. Next month, Santa Ana could become the first city in California to allow non-U.S. citizens to vote in municipal elections. The move comes at a time when Republicans have made opposing voting by non-citizens one of their platforms going into the November election. (LAist)
Latinas in Boyle Heights campaign for Kamala Harris in battleground states: Several women on the Eastside are doing what they can to help get the first woman president elected this November. They’re volunteering at Women’s March Action in Boyle Heights, an entity that focuses on building women’s political power to increase their representation in government. The women are making calls to voters in key states like Arizona and Nevada – at times to those who only speak Spanish. (CALO News)
Community Voices
Emmanuel De La Cruz, 28, a Boyle Heights resident, says he’s worried about inflation. As a contractor, De La Cruz has seen how surging costs have driven workers to ask for raises and customers to limit their home remodeling plans.
“Either candidate – Republican or Democrat – I want them to talk about what’s going to happen with our economy.”
Quick Tips
- Next key date: Oct. 21 is the last day to register online to vote. You can do so by visiting registertovote.ca.gov.
- Toll-free voter hotlines: Did you know the California Secretary of State offers voter information and assistance in English, Spanish and eight more languages? Call the office’s hotline to get your election questions answered:
(800) 345-VOTE (8683) – English
(800) 232-VOTA (8682) – Spanish
See this list for other languages.
Community Events
Friday, Oct. 18: Have questions about your ballot? Haven’t studied up yet? No problem. Bring your election questions to our Boyle Heights newsroom for VoterChat. Here, Boyle Heights Beat, LAist and CalMatters reporters will break down what’s on the ballot and help you navigate your voter game plan. Bring your ballot, join us for snacks and let’s ballot cram together from 5 to 7 p.m. RSVP here.
Tuesday, Oct. 22: Listen in on a panel of civically engaged Gen Zers and young millennials from across the political spectrum. The event, titled, “Will the real young voters please stand up? ” is a Zócalo Public Square program co-presented with LAist, Los Angeles Local News Initiative, Boyle Heights Beat and CalMatters. RSVP here.
Stay up to date with our community events.
¡Hasta luego, Boyle Heights!
Jessica Perez, Senior Editor
