BY C.M
Between 2010 and 2015 Florida’s population has grown by 1.46 million people. The Latinos represents 51% of this growth. Within those five years Florida's Latino population grew 18% overall. The Latino population grew over six times faster than the non-Latino whites and over twice as fast as the Blacks in Florida. The city Miami in Florida has been affected the most by the growth of the Latino population. Over one third of this population growth (more than 250,000 people) occurred in Miami. However Miami is not the only city in Florida seeing a growth in Latino population. Cities all over Florida are seeing this growth and the Latino population is not only affecting Florida Socially. They are now affecting Florida politically as well.
The Latino population makes up approximately 25% of Florida's overall population. The Amount of Latino people who are voting in Florida are steadily increasing. They now make up 17% of the voting population in Florida. Since George Bush was reelected in 2004 majority of the voting Latino population in Florida has stopped voting Republican. Miami-Dade county is 66.7% Latino which gives them highest Latino population in Florida yet they had the lowest voting rate in the 2014 midterm Elections. So why aren’t all of the Latino’s voting? Young people of color (Latinos and Blacks) don’t vote as much as their White peers not only in Florida but in America all together. Some of the Latino population in Florida can’t vote because they don’t have their citizenship but that doesn’t account for all of the Latinos who don’t vote. One out of five Black people will not be able to vote in Florida due to a Felony conviction. Not to mention the Black people who won't vote because they feel their vote doesn't count which is something I’ve heard many people say in my community growing up. After being marginalized in America for so many years it’s easy for voters of color (mainly Blacks and Latinos) to lose interest in politics. However that it is an unhealthy trend that needs to change and is steadily changing in Florida.
With the 2016 presidential election coming up the Latino vote will be a crucial factor in the outcome of which presidential candidate wins Florida. The Republican Candidate Donald Trump will be going against the Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. But a recent online survey of Latino voters by Florida International University’s Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs and mobile Hispanic advertising company Adsmovil show that the Latino population is overwhelmingly against Trump. Perhaps it’s because he referred to the Mexican American Immigrant population as rapist, drug dealers, and other negative things. Maybe it's because he wants to spend 25 BILLION dollars on a wall that will separate the United States and Mexico. Maybe it’s because he flirts with women by “grabbing them by the pussy” (which I thought was considered sexual assault). Regardless the Latino population in Florida does not like Donald Trump and I think it’s safe to say the Black population in Florida does not like him either. However 20% of Florida's population is 65 or older and this is the most reliable voting group. Hopefully they aren’t stuck in their “traditional” ways in wanting America to be how it was when they were younger. If they are then Trump may be the perfect candidate for them.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article87250257.html
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/election/article95076927.html
I.V.:
ReplyDeleteWith the Latino population on the rise it is becoming more and more imperative that we as a community begin to exercise our right to vote because we will finally be able to have our voices heard. Its true that a lot of people feel that voting is a waste of time, but we have to remind our communities that we all vote we can have actual change be done in this country. A lot of Latinos are hoping to have immigration reforms done, but if we too are stubborn to acknowledge our voting potential, then we will always be victims of those above us, in hierarchical power.
Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election and as latino myself, I ask myself, "what happened?". Polls showed that Hillary Clinton would win, states like Florida and Georgia were expected to vote for Hilary, but that did not happened. This presidential election confirms that even when the latino population is growing and states like georgia with a high black pupolation, there is still a long road to walk until the Latino and the Black communities are able to make a true impact in our politics. This of course can be attributed to blacks and latinos having legal restrictions to vote, but I would mainly attribute this "lost" for the latino and black community to the lack of interest in politics, to thinking that we will never be heard, but if do not keep speaking up for ourselves, no one will listen.
ReplyDeleteWith the Hispanic and Latino population growing dramatically in Florida do you think it will reach a point where the Hispanic and Latino votes decides who wins the election? Is it safe to say all Hispanic s and Latinos support Democrats while most Cubans vote republican?
ReplyDeleteEver since the election two weeks ago, I think it has shown us how important Florida is and specifically Latino voters in Florida in regards to electing Presidents. The latino and black voters were major driving forces behind electing Barack Obama both terms and democrats were sure that Florida would swing to blue as it has become a "purple" state within the last decade. Obviously, latinos were not 100% against Trump as 30% nationwide voted for him in this election. I think frustration and negative public opinions about the way our government works fueled this.
ReplyDeleteNow that the election has pass, I could imagine that even more minorites feel discourage to vote due to the fact that Hilary did in fact win the popular vote yet still manager to lose in the electoral college. How do you think we could go able in encouraging more people to vote especially in key states such as Florida.
ReplyDeleteLooking back at the results of the election, nationwide, Latinos voted overwhelmingly against Donald Trump. The Washington Post estimated that about 79% of Latino's voted for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. However, in Florida, Clinton lost the heavily Hispanic-populated state, despite Obama winning in 2012. Most Cuban-Americans, especially within the Miami area, are believed to have voted for Trump. The Latino vote helped Trump win the state, a trend that most individuals did not predict.
ReplyDeleteThis post was very interesting to read since the election is now over. I feel as if many people nowadays feel as if their vote doesn't count, not just minorities. For example, the state of New York has always been, and will always be democratic. Republicans in this state have no chance, and they know they have no chance. Florida was for sure one of the swing states that allowed Trump to be victorious. Like you said in your last sentence, the older population might have played a large part in the results.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the election is over, it has still a lasting effect on many people including Latinos. Many Latinos may feel discouraged as Trump is now elected president. With the swing states being critical in the election. Many latinos and other minorities should now know the importance of how much a single vote counts.
ReplyDeleteIt is so interesting to read this after the election because Florida is usually a critical state. Based off what I read, Trump technically won but it was a close race. I know plenty of friends who were Black and Latino who didn't vote in this election which was disheartening ... but NY is usually democratic but voting is still important. However, given that it was close is encouraging cause that means that more people are voting. Hopefully more people will begin to vote knowing that their vote does count.
ReplyDeleteMy family is Puerto Rican and my aunt has moved to Florida, as well, to pursue a culinary career, so my family is part of the Latino movement to Florida and I found this blog post to be interesting. You also brought up a good point about people, specifically minorities, not voting. This, I feel, is getting worse and worse. My boyfriend, who is Colombian and Ecuadorian, feels the same way. He argues that his vote and no one's vote, does not really count when it come down to it and ended up not voting. I was upset by his comments, but he ended up being right, because if it was up to the popular vote, Hillary would be our president. How do you think we can change this? How do you think we can restore faith in American people that their voice matters?
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this post especially because it after the election. I was very shocked by the results. It is intriguing that Trump was able to win Florida, which was a very important swing state. I think that many individuals did not go out and place their vote, it goes back to the idea that every vote does really matter. Also, Ms. Londono spoke in class that some Latinos actually really support him. Do you believe there were many Latinos who were private about their support for Trump? Many people tend to keep their political views to themselves because they can ruin friendships and relationships. Do you think the voting process is flawed, how can we improve it?
ReplyDeleteI found this blog post very interesting. My question is what caused the Latino population to start voting now? Also I enjoyed how you used the census information to tie into the 2016 presidential election. Latinos did have a large amount of votes, which further proves how there is a change in the voting statistics.
ReplyDeleteI thought your blog was very interesting. Reading this blog post after the election in particular is quite interesting. Based on the statistics and the projections prior to the presidential results a president elect trump win seemed a little far fetched. Now after the election it is quite interesting to see how wrong the projections were. I also think it's interesting to see that a pretty decent portion of Latino/a voters did in fact vote for now president elect Trump. I curious as to know the reasoning behind this.
ReplyDeleteI thought your blog was very interesting. Reading this blog post after the election in particular is quite interesting. Based on the statistics and the projections prior to the presidential results a president elect trump win seemed a little far fetched. Now after the election it is quite interesting to see how wrong the projections were. I also think it's interesting to see that a pretty decent portion of Latino/a voters did in fact vote for now president elect Trump. I curious as to know the reasoning behind this.
ReplyDelete