Hispanic Votes significant in 2008 Election.

Hot button topics like immigration and the first Hispanic Democrat to seek presidency will play a defining role in the 2008 presidential election making Hispanics a veritable swing voting bloc.

Hispanics are the largest ethnic minority in the country, and their share of the electorate continues to grow. Hispanics were estimated to be 8 percent of the voting public in 2006, compared to 6 percent in 2004 and 5.5 percent in 2000. Census data show that the number of Latino voters could rise to 10 percent or more by 2008.

“This is an exciting time for Hispanic Americans. The influence that Latino voters have on the upcoming election is paramount,” said Trevor Hansen, president, Ethnic Print Media Group. “The Hispanic vote will carry much more weight than it did just three years ago in 2004.”

There are about 12 million registered Hispanic voters across the country with 13 states that have at least half a million Hispanic residents: Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Washington. The minority vote in these states will play a larger, more significant role in the election.

Both parties have a shot at the Hispanic vote, but they need to reach out. One method of identifying with Latino voters is through their local Hispanic newspapers. Spanish-language media famously use their clout to mobilize crowds, demand change and stir Hispanics to take an active part in U.S. politics.

In 2006, EPMG commissioned a national readership study among readers of Hispanic newspapers to gauge political involvement and motivations. 77 percent of respondents said they plan to vote in the next election; with 84 percent saying they are more likely to vote affirmative if a candidate or issue provides information to the community through local Hispanic newspapers. Additionally, 79 percent of Latinos surveyed chose Hispanic newspapers as a trusted source of information for political news and opinions compared to 15 percent for radio and four percent for TV.