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Latino Voters Identify Top Issues

According to a three-year time series analysis of the Latino Policy Coalition's (LPC) nationwide polls (conducted in April 2006, September 2006 and July 2009), Democrats have increased their ratings on top Latino priority issues like healthcare reform, immigration reform, and jobs and the economy.

On comprehensive immigration reform: Currently, Latinos give Congressional Democrats a 40-point advantage on immigration as 52% feel Democrats would do a better job, while 12% feel Republicans would do a better job. The Democratic advantage has increased 7 points since April 2006, when Democrats were 33 points better than Republicans (50% Democrats, 17% Republicans).

On jobs and the economy: Latinos are optimistic the economy will improve. A majority of Latinos (45%) feel their children will be better off than they are, while 25% feel they will be worse off. This is a dramatic change from April 2006, when 31% said better off and 45% said worse off under a Republican-controlled White House and Congress.

Joshua Ulibarri of Lake Research Partners noted that, "Recent Republican opposition to healthcare reform has cost them support among Latino voters, and they risk further losing support if they remain so entrenched against the comprehensive reform Latinos favor."