LOS ANGELES, CA -– Early exit poll data suggest that Latino voters had a significant impact on the Presidential race in key states, according to an Election Day analysis conducted by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund.  The NALEO Educational Fund has projected that at least 9.2 million Latinos would vote in this election, and early results indicate that Latino voter turnout is likely to be higher.

Based on media reports of election results with over 95% of precincts reporting, the NALEO Educational Fund analysis reveals that Latinos contributed to Senator Barack Obama’s narrow victories in Virginia and Florida.  In Virginia, where the reported margin of victory as of this writing was 120,299, the NALEO Educational Fund estimates that about 67,000 Latinos voted for Senator Obama.  In Florida, where the reported margin of victory as of this writing was 178,745, the NALEO Educational Fund’s analysis estimates that about 548,000 Latinos voted for Seantor Obama. 

According to NALEO Educational Fund Executive Director Arturo Vargas, “In 2004, President George W. Bush gained victories in Virginia and Florida.  Four years later, Latino voters have helped transform these states into ‘purple’ ones, where party loyalties will become less predictable.  Latinos are reshaping the future of the political landscape.”

Unprecedented efforts were made by both political parties and candidates to court the Latino vote in this election cycle.  In battleground states, there was record spending on Spanish language media and ground efforts to persuade and mobilize the Latino electorate.  At the same time, non-partisan efforts, like the ¡ya es hora! Ve y Vota Campaign (It’s time, go vote), have been informing and motivating Latinos to participate in civic life.  The ¡ya es hora! campaign is an historic non-partisan campaign that was launched as the Latino community’s action-oriented follow-up to the mobilizations of 2006.  It is the largest and most comprehensive effort to incorporate Latinos as full participants in the American political process.

Mr. Vargas concluded, “We are likely to see record Latino turnout in this Presidential election, and Latinos are playing a key role in determining its outcome.  The dramatic increase in Latino participation will extend far beyond 2008 and will have a significant impact on future state and local races. This is an historic election for our nation, and Latinos are writing the next chapter of America’s political history. ”