“Since we’re in an election year, I took advantage and managed to get my citizenship in less than three months,” said a Latino as he left his naturalization ceremony, while someone listening replied: “that doesn’t guarantee you’ll vote.”
The Latino vote—though final naturalization figures for this year aren’t yet confirmed—is expected to rise, as it does every four years ahead of elections, so many can vote on November 5.
By December 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had welcomed nearly 900,000 new citizens, with Latinos making up the largest percentage of those naturalized.
Once again, and as will likely repeat every four years during election season, there’s a surge in advertising and campaigns promoting naturalization to exercise the right to vote, especially among the Latino population, which has gained more importance—not just because of Hispanic Heritage Month, but because we’re days away from a new presidential election where the Latino vote will be decisive.
According to recent reports from the National Museum of the American Latino, an organization dedicated to highlighting Latinos’ contributions to the country, in the 2020 elections, Latino votes reached a record 16.5 million—over 50% of eligible Hispanics.
This year, those eligible to vote exceed 36 million, representing nearly 15% of the country’s eligible voting population. By state, the largest numbers of registered Latino voters are in New Mexico and California, followed by Texas, Florida, New York, and Arizona.
This year, campaigns are also using sensitive issues for Latinos—such as the economy, immigration, gun rights, and violence—as strategies. While the eligible Latino voting population grows, so must preparation to avoid falling into the trap of electoral manipulation.
Civic education and voter preparation for those naturalizing or reaching voting age should be constant, not just a temporary effort to win elections every four years. The flood of information, ads, and content filled with attacks, insults, and false promises can create more confusion among citizens.
It must be acknowledged that not everyone who naturalizes before an election will vote immediately. Each new citizen doesn’t necessarily guarantee an additional vote—but it does mean one more possibility.
Exercising citizenship by voting requires preparation, awareness, and understanding of the country’s social, economic, and cultural context, regardless of ideological or political leanings.
Voting is a duty and a responsibility that must be undertaken consciously, without pressure, and with confidence in the decision being made.
oma66co@gmail.com
By: Omaira Martínez Cardona Colombian journalist
Image: Telemundo
