With the 2026 US midterm elections approaching, Latino voters are emerging as an important voting bloc in the battle for control of Congress. The elections will decide which party holds the majority in the US House and Senate for the next two years.&nbsp;More than 68 million Hispanics live in the United States, accounting for roughly 20% of the country’s population and making them the second largest racial or ethnic group. Their political influence is particularly strong in states such as New Mexico, California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada and Florida, as well as in Colorado, New Jersey and New York.&nbsp;Their votes could be significant in closely contested House races, where a relatively small number of competitive seats can determine which party controls the chamber.<h3>Why Latino voters are shifting</h3>Latino voters played a key role in Donald Trump’s 2024 victory as many Hispanic voters moved towards the Republican Party. However, recent polling suggests that their views have shifted ahead of the 2026 midterms.&nbsp;Among 800 registered Latino voters surveyed in September, 69% disapproved of Trump’s performance as president, while 59% said they wanted Democrats to win the November elections. Only 35% preferred Republicans to control Congress.&nbsp;A recent NBC survey found that high prices and Trump’s approach to immigration enforcement are major concerns among Latino voters. His approval rating among the group stands at 27%.Two-thirds said Trump’s deportation policies had gone too far, while three-quarters disapproved of his handling of the economy and cost of living.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/christa-pike-angry-and-confused-after-failed-execution-judge-orders-to-preserve-evidence-1791399262301">Christa Pike 'angry' and 'confused' after failed execution; judge orders to preserve evidence</a><h3>Economy, prices remain key concerns</h3>Latino voters now have more negative views of the Republican Party than at any point since 2016. Democrats hold leads on issues including the economy, immigration, cost of living, corruption and healthcare.&nbsp;The change is particularly sharp on the economy. In 2024, Latino voters gave Trump a 4-point advantage over then Vice President Kamala Harris on handling the economy. In the latest survey, Democrats hold a 21-point advantage on the same issue.&nbsp;Overall, Democrats lead Republicans by 24 points among Latino voters on which party they want to control Congress, at 59% to 35%.&nbsp;Cost of living is the biggest concern for many Latino voters. About 78% disapprove of Trump’s handling of the issue, while 74% disapprove of his handling of the economy. Disapproval also stands at 68% on foreign policy and 69% on immigration.&nbsp;Nearly two-thirds, or 65%, said Trump’s policies had hurt economic conditions. Only 23% said they had helped.&nbsp;Inflation and cost of living were the most important issues for 33% of Latino voters, while 52% ranked them among their top two concerns. Those who named cost of living as their top issue preferred a Democratic Congress by 22 points, compared with a 4-point Republican advantage among the same group in 2024.

Latino voters could play a crucial role in the 2026 US midterm elections as concerns over the economy, cost of living and immigration shape their growing preference for Democrats.

With the 2026 US midterm elections approaching, Latino voters are emerging as an important voting bloc in the battle for control of Congress. The elections will decide which party holds the majority in the US House and Senate for the next two years. More than 68 million Hispanics live in the United States, accounting for roughly 20% of the country’s population and making them the second largest racial or ethnic group. Their political influence is particularly strong in states such as New Mexico, California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada and Florida, as well as in Colorado, New Jersey and New York. Their votes could be significant in closely contested House races, where a relatively small number of competitive seats can determine which party controls the chamber. Why Latino voters are shifting Latino voters played a key role in Donald Trump’s 2024 victory as many Hispanic voters moved towards the Republican Party. However, recent polling suggests that their views have shifted ahead of the 2026 midterms. Among 800 registered Latino voters surveyed in September, 69% disapproved of Trump’s performance as president, while 59% said they wanted Democrats to win the November elections. Only 35% preferred Republicans to control Congress. A recent NBC survey found that high prices and Trump’s approach to immigration enforcement are major concerns among Latino voters. His approval rating among the group stands at 27%. Two-thirds said Trump’s deportation policies had gone too far, while three-quarters disapproved of his handling of the economy and cost of living. Also Read: Christa Pike 'angry' and 'confused' after failed execution; judge orders to preserve evidence Economy, prices remain key concerns Latino voters now have more negative views of the Republican Party than at any point since 2016. Democrats hold leads on issues including the economy, immigration, cost of living, corruption and healthcare. The change is particularly sharp on the economy. In 2024, Latino voters gave Trump a 4-point advantage over then Vice President Kamala Harris on handling the economy. In the latest survey, Democrats hold a 21-point advantage on the same issue. Overall, Democrats lead Republicans by 24 points among Latino voters on which party they want to control Congress, at 59% to 35%. Cost of living is the biggest concern for many Latino voters. About 78% disapprove of Trump’s handling of the issue, while 74% disapprove of his handling of the economy. Disapproval also stands at 68% on foreign policy and 69% on immigration. Nearly two-thirds, or 65%, said Trump’s policies had hurt economic conditions. Only 23% said they had helped. Inflation and cost of living were the most important issues for 33% of Latino voters, while 52% ranked them among their top two concerns. Those who named cost of living as their top issue preferred a Democratic Congress by 22 points, compared with a 4-point Republican advantage among the same group in 2024.

Latino voters could play a crucial role in the 2026 US midterm elections as concerns over the economy, cost of living and immigration shape their growing preference for Democrats.

US midterms 2026: Why the Latino vote could shape control of Congress

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US elections</a> are in full swing and people have come out in large numbers to choose their next president from the Democratic nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;current President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;who is representing the Republican Party. The minority communities are playing a huge role in the elections this year, especially due to the Black Lives Matter movement which negatively affected Trump's campaign.

However, the Latino community has come out in a larger number this year to support the President, who has often&nbsp;been labelled as 'racist' by his opponents and Americans who want to "vote him out".&nbsp; An exit poll by the American organisation CNN International, Trump managed to gain 2 in 5 votes among the community in the state of Florida, which is an increase of nearly 35 per cent in 2016.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-result-live-update-donald-trump-joe-biden-votes-tally-president-predictions-begins-vote-count-how-to-follow-the-2020-us-election-results-from-india-Trump-wins-Kentucky-joe-Biden-Vermont-340293">US election 2020 result LIVE updates: Biden set to win NY as polls close in more than a dozen states</a>

This figure has come as a shock to the Democratic party as their 2016 candidate Hillary Clinton had managed to secure a 62 per cent support by the Latino community in the state. Joe Biden, however, has not been able to&nbsp;manage to win support from the community.

Biden, however, has been able to gain support from seniors and independents in the Sunshine State — a voter bank that has not supported Trump this election.&nbsp;Biden has captured nearly half of the voters under the age of 65 and older, which is higher than what the previous Democratic candidate was able to secure, i.e. 40 per cent. More than half of independents, too, have chosen to support Biden instead of trump, which is again a massive increase from the&nbsp;43 per cent supporters from the 2016 elections.

Interestingly, Biden also did not get a lot of support from the Latino community in the states of&nbsp;Georgia and Ohio — two of the key states for this year's elections.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-joe-biden-wins-delaware-district-of-columbia-maryland-massachusetts-trump-wins-oklahoma-340312">READ MORE |&nbsp;Joe Biden wins Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts; Trump wins Oklahoma</a>

The decrease in support for Biden has come after Trump went out of his way to show support for the Latino local brands and community this year during his election campaigns. The poll also revealed that the decrease in support for the Democrats this year in the Latino community is mainly as they fear the former vice President will close down the economy to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus if elected. The community is worried about a sharp decline in the economy and the negative effect it will have on their daily household expenses.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the US citizens have had to face major economic losses as many of them have been laid off and businesses have had to shut down which has left many homes without a stable daily wage.

The results will be soon be clear, but on ething that is getting quite evident from the early polls is that the Latino community, this year in Florida, has decided to choose Trump's economy over Biden's coronavirus relief plan.

The US elections are in full swing and people have come out in large numbers to choose their next president from the Democratic nominee Joe Biden and the current President Donald Trump who is representing the Republican Party.

The US elections are in full swing and people have come out in large numbers to choose their next president from the Democratic nominee Joe Biden and the current President Donald Trump who is representing the Republican Party. The minority communities are playing a huge role in the elections this year, especially due to the Black Lives Matter movement which negatively affected Trump's campaign. However, the Latino community has come out in a larger number this year to support the President, who has often been labelled as 'racist' by his opponents and Americans who want to "vote him out". An exit poll by the American organisation CNN International, Trump managed to gain 2 in 5 votes among the community in the state of Florida, which is an increase of nearly 35 per cent in 2016. US election 2020 result LIVE updates: Biden set to win NY as polls close in more than a dozen states This figure has come as a shock to the Democratic party as their 2016 candidate Hillary Clinton had managed to secure a 62 per cent support by the Latino community in the state. Joe Biden, however, has not been able to manage to win support from the community. Biden, however, has been able to gain support from seniors and independents in the Sunshine State — a voter bank that has not supported Trump this election. Biden has captured nearly half of the voters under the age of 65 and older, which is higher than what the previous Democratic candidate was able to secure, i.e. 40 per cent. More than half of independents, too, have chosen to support Biden instead of trump, which is again a massive increase from the 43 per cent supporters from the 2016 elections. Interestingly, Biden also did not get a lot of support from the Latino community in the states of Georgia and Ohio — two of the key states for this year's elections. READ MORE | Joe Biden wins Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts; Trump wins Oklahoma The decrease in support for Biden has come after Trump went out of his way to show support for the Latino local brands and community this year during his election campaigns. The poll also revealed that the decrease in support for the Democrats this year in the Latino community is mainly as they fear the former vice President will close down the economy to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus if elected. The community is worried about a sharp decline in the economy and the negative effect it will have on their daily household expenses. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the US citizens have had to face major economic losses as many of them have been laid off and businesses have had to shut down which has left many homes without a stable daily wage. The results will be soon be clear, but on ething that is getting quite evident from the early polls is that the Latino community, this year in Florida, has decided to choose Trump's economy over Biden's coronavirus relief plan.

More Latinos support Donald Trump in US Election 2020: Exit poll

Latina actresses encourage voters in Miami

Drug dealers, sexual predators, "poisonous snakes" blamed for all the ills plaguing US society: President Donald Trump has cast Latino immigrants as public enemy numero uno in his rallies and tweets in the run-up to November 6.

But&nbsp;oddly enough, millions of Hispanic voters do not appear set on taking revenge at the polls: no surveys indicate a Latino wave to turf Republicans out of Congress come Tuesday.

What's going on? According to experts, Trump's repeated insults and bullying haven't had the effect of pushing Latinos toward the Democrat party -- rather they have driven them from voting at all.

"In 2016 many analysts had pointed to then-candidate Trump's comments on Mexican immigrants and Hispanics as perhaps being a motivator to get Latinos to the polls," said Mark Hugo Lopez, director of global migration and demography research at Pew Research Center.&nbsp; But in reality, he says, "the turnout fell."

And 30 per cent of all Hispanics ended up in fact voting for Trump.&nbsp;

There are 29 million Hispanics registered to vote in the midterm elections, where all 435 seats from the House of Representatives are up for grabs, one-third of the Senate, the governors of 36 states and numerous local officials including judges, sheriffs and attorneys general.

Burned by their failures to accurately predict the 2016 presidential vote, many analysts are striking a more cautious note.

"It remains to be seen what will happen this year. Latinos may be more interested in voting but there are many indications that perhaps the turnout rate may not rise much compared to 2014," said Lopez.&nbsp;

When midterms were held that year the turnout rate was only 27 percent for the demographic -- a history low, according to Pew Research.

Veterans and Evangelicals

It ends up being a vicious circle: the fewer Latinos are mobilized, the less the major political parties spend gearing their platforms to address the community's concerns.

And the less the major parties care, the more apathy spreads. To be sure, Latinos are generally more inclined toward the center-left Democrats,&nbsp;but the party "is not doing enough outreach" with the group, says Christine Marie Sierra, Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of New Mexico.&nbsp;

"We continue to hear about all they have to reach out to the white-working class voters or white women in some suburbs," she continued.&nbsp;

"Well that's fine. You can reach out to them but that's not where your base is. For the Democrats their base is in communities of color.

"They've got to invest a whole lot more to especially with Latinos to overcome the lack of participation."

According to the non-profit Latino Decisions, 63 percent of registered Hispanic voters say they plan to vote. But more than half of them were not contacted by any candidate in their constituency.

"Those voters that are contacted more are more likely to vote and those that are impacted less or not at all are less likely to vote," emphasized David Ayon of Latino Decisions.

Complicating matters further is the Latino vote is far from a monolithic bloc but instead a mosaic of diverse communities, with party affiliation not necessarily linked to country of origin, said Lopez.

Republicans, for example, can count on the overwhelming support of Cuban Americans, a community vehemently opposed to the Communist regime that rules the island. Military veterans and Evangelical migrants from Central America are likewise more likely to lean toward the Grand Old Party.

It sets the scene for some intriguing races. Will Mexican-born voters in Texas throw their weight behind Irish-American Beto O'Rourke over his Cuban-American rival and arch conservative Ted Cruz?&nbsp;

Will Puerto Ricans resettled in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria tip the scales for the Democrats in Florida? We will find out Tuesday.

Drug dealers, sexual predators, "poisonous snakes" blamed for all the ills plaguing US society: President Donald Trump has cast Latino immigrants as public enemy numero uno in his rallies and tweets in the run-up to November 6.

Drug dealers, sexual predators, "poisonous snakes" blamed for all the ills plaguing US society: President Donald Trump has cast Latino immigrants as public enemy numero uno in his rallies and tweets in the run-up to November 6. But oddly enough, millions of Hispanic voters do not appear set on taking revenge at the polls: no surveys indicate a Latino wave to turf Republicans out of Congress come Tuesday. What's going on? According to experts, Trump's repeated insults and bullying haven't had the effect of pushing Latinos toward the Democrat party -- rather they have driven them from voting at all. "In 2016 many analysts had pointed to then-candidate Trump's comments on Mexican immigrants and Hispanics as perhaps being a motivator to get Latinos to the polls," said Mark Hugo Lopez, director of global migration and demography research at Pew Research Center. But in reality, he says, "the turnout fell." And 30 per cent of all Hispanics ended up in fact voting for Trump. There are 29 million Hispanics registered to vote in the midterm elections, where all 435 seats from the House of Representatives are up for grabs, one-third of the Senate, the governors of 36 states and numerous local officials including judges, sheriffs and attorneys general. Burned by their failures to accurately predict the 2016 presidential vote, many analysts are striking a more cautious note. "It remains to be seen what will happen this year. Latinos may be more interested in voting but there are many indications that perhaps the turnout rate may not rise much compared to 2014," said Lopez. When midterms were held that year the turnout rate was only 27 percent for the demographic -- a history low, according to Pew Research. Veterans and Evangelicals It ends up being a vicious circle: the fewer Latinos are mobilized, the less the major political parties spend gearing their platforms to address the community's concerns. And the less the major parties care, the more apathy spreads. To be sure, Latinos are generally more inclined toward the center-left Democrats, but the party "is not doing enough outreach" with the group, says Christine Marie Sierra, Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of New Mexico. "We continue to hear about all they have to reach out to the white-working class voters or white women in some suburbs," she continued. "Well that's fine. You can reach out to them but that's not where your base is. For the Democrats their base is in communities of color. "They've got to invest a whole lot more to especially with Latinos to overcome the lack of participation." According to the non-profit Latino Decisions, 63 percent of registered Hispanic voters say they plan to vote. But more than half of them were not contacted by any candidate in their constituency. "Those voters that are contacted more are more likely to vote and those that are impacted less or not at all are less likely to vote," emphasized David Ayon of Latino Decisions. Complicating matters further is the Latino vote is far from a monolithic bloc but instead a mosaic of diverse communities, with party affiliation not necessarily linked to country of origin, said Lopez. Republicans, for example, can count on the overwhelming support of Cuban Americans, a community vehemently opposed to the Communist regime that rules the island. Military veterans and Evangelical migrants from Central America are likewise more likely to lean toward the Grand Old Party. It sets the scene for some intriguing races. Will Mexican-born voters in Texas throw their weight behind Irish-American Beto O'Rourke over his Cuban-American rival and arch conservative Ted Cruz? Will Puerto Ricans resettled in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria tip the scales for the Democrats in Florida? We will find out Tuesday.

US midterm polls 2018: Will Trump's America wake up Latino vote in midterms?

In Southwest Miami, a district heavily populated with Latinos from several central and South American countries, Hillary Clinton supporters gathered for a pep talk before hitting the streets to canvass for votes in what every single one of them consider the most important presidential election ever.

Volunteers across Florida made a last-minute push to get voters to the polls ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, pitting Republican

&nbsp;

Donald Trump against Democrat Hillary Clinton

The get-out-the-vote organizer tells the volunteers what&#39;s at stake.

&quot;It&#39;s arguably the most important county in this election. We need Miami-Dade to vote for Hillary Clinton,&quot; he said. Across town in the the outskirts of Wynwood, Miami&#39;s art district, a massive mural depicts Donald Trump as a pig with a message reading, &quot;When pigs fly.&quot;

Latino voters could have an outsized influence in Tuesday&#39;s election. Early voting data shows a jump in the number of Hispanic voters this year, especially in the key swing states of Nevada and Florida -- and Clinton would likely be the biggest beneficiary.

&quot;We are seeing that in the numbers. We are seeing that particularly here with expanded voter registration here in Florida. We are also seeing it with early turnout to the polls. They are breaking records, not only here in Miami and Florida breaking records for early voter turnout but hispanic and latino turnout is coming in,&quot; said Elbert Garcia, the director of &quot;Florida`s Voice&quot;, an immigration advocacy organisation.

In Florida, the Clinton campaign estimates early Latino voting is up 139 per cent, or more than twice as much, compared to 2012, according to a field report dated Wednesday.

Despite the surge in early voting, there is no certainty about which candidate people chose for president. There is also no guarantee that the higher Latino turnout rate will continue on Election Day and that they and other minority voters will make enough of a difference to swing Florida and other states.

But even within the minority, there is could be a divide in South Florida where Cuban-Americans, who historically side with Republican candidates, could side with Trump.

In Miami&#39;s Little Havana, dueling Clinton and Trump rallies took place Monday in front of a cafe, with supporters of both sides waving signs at on-coming traffic and arguing with each other.

&quot;They (Latinos) are letting themselves be heard with the vote for the first time,&quot; said Ania Fresna, a Clinton supporter that says Cubans will side with Clinton.

&quot;We will be winners tomorrow. We will drink champagne, we will eat papa frita (French Fries) and pollo (chicken) for Hillary,&quot; added Clinton supporter Carman Santos.

But Trump supporters are convinced that Cubans will continue to side with the more conservative Trump.

&quot;I am as a woman Latina, and I don&#39;t think he (Donald Trump) has anything against Latinos. I think that he has a very good point of view which is the United States needs a boundary. It&#39;s time that everyone comes in the right way,&quot; said Linnette Lemar.

Polls show Clinton and Trump in a virtual dead heat in Florida.&nbsp;

(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

The Clinton campaign estimates early Latino voting in Florida is up 139%, or more than twice as much, compared to 2012

In Southwest Miami, a district heavily populated with Latinos from several central and South American countries, Hillary Clinton supporters gathered for a pep talk before hitting the streets to canvass for votes in what every single one of them consider the most important presidential election ever. Volunteers across Florida made a last-minute push to get voters to the polls ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, pitting Republican Donald Trump against Democrat Hillary Clinton The get-out-the-vote organizer tells the volunteers what's at stake. "It's arguably the most important county in this election. We need Miami-Dade to vote for Hillary Clinton," he said. Across town in the the outskirts of Wynwood, Miami's art district, a massive mural depicts Donald Trump as a pig with a message reading, "When pigs fly." Latino voters could have an outsized influence in Tuesday's election. Early voting data shows a jump in the number of Hispanic voters this year, especially in the key swing states of Nevada and Florida -- and Clinton would likely be the biggest beneficiary. "We are seeing that in the numbers. We are seeing that particularly here with expanded voter registration here in Florida. We are also seeing it with early turnout to the polls. They are breaking records, not only here in Miami and Florida breaking records for early voter turnout but hispanic and latino turnout is coming in," said Elbert Garcia, the director of "Florida`s Voice", an immigration advocacy organisation. In Florida, the Clinton campaign estimates early Latino voting is up 139 per cent, or more than twice as much, compared to 2012, according to a field report dated Wednesday. Despite the surge in early voting, there is no certainty about which candidate people chose for president. There is also no guarantee that the higher Latino turnout rate will continue on Election Day and that they and other minority voters will make enough of a difference to swing Florida and other states. But even within the minority, there is could be a divide in South Florida where Cuban-Americans, who historically side with Republican candidates, could side with Trump. In Miami's Little Havana, dueling Clinton and Trump rallies took place Monday in front of a cafe, with supporters of both sides waving signs at on-coming traffic and arguing with each other. "They (Latinos) are letting themselves be heard with the vote for the first time," said Ania Fresna, a Clinton supporter that says Cubans will side with Clinton. "We will be winners tomorrow. We will drink champagne, we will eat papa frita (French Fries) and pollo (chicken) for Hillary," added Clinton supporter Carman Santos. But Trump supporters are convinced that Cubans will continue to side with the more conservative Trump. "I am as a woman Latina, and I don't think he (Donald Trump) has anything against Latinos. I think that he has a very good point of view which is the United States needs a boundary. It's time that everyone comes in the right way," said Linnette Lemar. Polls show Clinton and Trump in a virtual dead heat in Florida. (Reuters)

Clinton supporters mobilise Latino voters to win Florida, US election

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US midterms 2026: Why the Latino vote could shape control of Congress

More Latinos support Donald Trump in US Election 2020: Exit poll

Latina actresses encourage voters in Miami

US midterm polls 2018: Will Trump's America wake up Latino vote in midterms?

Clinton supporters mobilise Latino voters to win Florida, US election

Clinton supporters mobilise Latino voters to win Florida, US election