SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. — According to a report by the Public Policy Institute of California, Latinos, Asian Americans, and African Americans are less likely to vote than white people. It shows Latinos represent 35% of the adult population in the state, but they account for only 21% of those most likely to vote.
"Latinos are underrepresented based on their population in California," said Mark Baldassare, survey director with the Public Policy Institute of California. "Many Latinos are not eligible to vote because we have not passed federal comprehensive immigration reform."
The Latino Community Foundation works to increase voter turnout. The Foundation says investments are needed year-round to engage, educate and register eligible voters.
"Over the years, some of the barriers have been the challenges around language and access," said Max Vargas, vice president of economic justice with the Latino Community Foundation. "For the 2024 presidential election, we would have invested over $1 million into Latino-led non profit organizations across the state to mobilize Latino voters."
GET MORE RACE & CULTURE FROM ABC10:
►Explore the Race & Culture home page
►Watch Race & Culture videos on YouTube
►Subscribe to the Race and Culture newsletter
When it comes to eligible voters in the U.S., 15 million Latinos, 13 million Black people, and 5 million Asian-Americans did not cast a ballot in the 2020 presidential election, according to a report from the Center for Inclusive Democracy. It shows Asian-American, Black and Latino eligible voters comprised nearly 30% of those eligible to vote, but represented just over 22% of all votes cast. The report found this entrenched voter representation gap evident across nearly all U.S. elections.
"Eligible voters of color have substantial potential to hold greater influence over the outcomes of local and national elections," said Mindy Romero, director of the Center for Inclusive Democracy. "There are millions of eligible non-voters of color who, if mobilized, could have a transformative and immediate impact in the 2024 elections. We need to do more to reach and engage these voters and help narrow the voter representation gap if we are to achieve a truly inclusive electorate."
The California Center for Civic Participation is a nonprofit that empowers the youth to get engaged in their communities and make a change through voting. The group explains that increasing voter turnout in communities of color requires ongoing and meaningful engagement, not just during election season.
"We are not waiting until the time comes for us to encourage people to get out to vote," said CJ Lynch, board member with the California Center for Civic Participation, said. "We are collaborating with other organizations all throughout the year."
We want to hear from you!
The Race and Culture team's mission is to serve our diverse communities through authentic representation, community engagement and equitable reporting. Accomplishing our goals of inclusive reporting requires hearing from you. Is there a person or place that you want us to highlight? Email us at raceandculture@abc10.com or fill out the form below.
