Hispanic voters are increasingly frustrated with the federal impasse over immigration reform and are souring on Democrats, according to a new poll that also offers insights into the 2016 presidential race.
More than half of the 600 Hispanic registered voters polled by Latino Decisions said immigration is the most important issue in 2014, outpacing jobs and the economy, health care and education.
A majority of respondents said they disapprove of the way Republicans, Democrats and President Barack Obama are handling immigration, with 67 percent giving Republicans a thumbs down on the issue, and 53 percent and 51 percent disapproving of the Democrats’ and president’s efforts respectively.
Overall, Hispanic voters are more likely in 2014 than they were in 2012 to say they are voting to support the Hispanic community rather than one of the political parties, and Hispanic support of Democrats in general has waned.
“We’re seeing record high levels of frustration with both parties from Latinos, and we know a lot of that has to do with the lack of progress on immigration,” Latino Decision co-founder Matt Barreto said on a press call discussing the results. “For Latinos, this issue is even more important than it is to the general electorate—a clear majority of Latinos know an undocumented immigrant. For them, immigration is deeply personal and symbolic. Both parties stand to lose serious support if they continue to take the Latino vote for granted. There’s clear signals of that happening in 2014 and even stronger signals for that in 2016.”
More than half of those surveyed said they agreed with the statement: “The Democratic Party expects Latinos to vote for them, but is unwilling to take political risks or take a stand on behalf of immigrants.”
Meanwhile, just 28 percent said the Democratic Party is “truly committed to immigrant rights and treats the Latino community like a priority.”
Latino Decisions Poll of Hispanic Registered Voters
Looking forward to the 2016 presidential race, Latino Decision asked Hispanic voters about their support for various potential candidates after citing the politicians’ comments on immigration reform.
A majority of respondents said they were unlikely to vote for any of the GOP names offered, including Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.
When told that former first lady and U.S. senator Hillary Clinton has said she would endorse a pathway to citizenship for immigrants in the country illegally, 49 percent said they would likely vote for her. However, when the Hispanic voters were told that Clinton opposed drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants and recently said the migrant children from Central America should be immediately deported, only 29 percent said they would vote for her.
The poll was commissioned by America’s Voice, a organization that favors immigration reform including a pathway to citizenship for immigrants living in the country illegally.
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