This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/may/21/la-mayor-race-latino-voters-lacking

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
The LA mayoral race is a case study on the Latino vote The LA mayoral race is a case study on the Latino vote
(4 months later)
Mayoral elections in Los Angeles are typically quite parochial affairs, and this year's outing is something of an exception. As Angelenos go to the polls today under hazy May skies, everything from jobs to deteriorating schools to the dire condition of LA's roads has dominated the campaign between Eric Garcetti and Wendy Greuel, both Democrats and city hall insiders who made it through March's open primary.Mayoral elections in Los Angeles are typically quite parochial affairs, and this year's outing is something of an exception. As Angelenos go to the polls today under hazy May skies, everything from jobs to deteriorating schools to the dire condition of LA's roads has dominated the campaign between Eric Garcetti and Wendy Greuel, both Democrats and city hall insiders who made it through March's open primary.
For those who don't count themselves among LA's four million inhabitants, this election is an interesting case study in how the Latino vote may (or may not) impact the 2016 presidential.For those who don't count themselves among LA's four million inhabitants, this election is an interesting case study in how the Latino vote may (or may not) impact the 2016 presidential.
Despite making up over 40% of the population here, Latinos will likely comprise only a quarter of the votes actually cast. White voters, by contrast, amount to a third of the population, but will probably cast just over half of the ballots. These estimates are based on a USC Price/Los Angeles Times poll conducted last week, and raise awkward questions about exactly how the heralded "rise of the Latino voter" will influence the upcoming race for the White House.Despite making up over 40% of the population here, Latinos will likely comprise only a quarter of the votes actually cast. White voters, by contrast, amount to a third of the population, but will probably cast just over half of the ballots. These estimates are based on a USC Price/Los Angeles Times poll conducted last week, and raise awkward questions about exactly how the heralded "rise of the Latino voter" will influence the upcoming race for the White House.
Of course, both Garcetti and Greuel have spent significant sums to get their names and campaign promises out to Latino voters, both in the mainstream media and on Spanish language television and radio. Garcetti is of part Mexican descent, and has been keen to demonstrate that he understands Latinos' particular concerns. Greuel, on the other hand, benefits from surrogates such as former President Bill Clinton, who, no doubt, has given much thought to the election preferences of Latinos, as his wife, Hillary, prepares herself for her inevitable return to the national stage leading up to the next Democratic National Convention.Of course, both Garcetti and Greuel have spent significant sums to get their names and campaign promises out to Latino voters, both in the mainstream media and on Spanish language television and radio. Garcetti is of part Mexican descent, and has been keen to demonstrate that he understands Latinos' particular concerns. Greuel, on the other hand, benefits from surrogates such as former President Bill Clinton, who, no doubt, has given much thought to the election preferences of Latinos, as his wife, Hillary, prepares herself for her inevitable return to the national stage leading up to the next Democratic National Convention.
If the polling data is proven correct when the votes are counted, then the actual impact of Latino voters at the ballot box may need to be re-examined. While GOP hopefuls like Congressman Paul Ryan have been busy burnishing their credentials with various Hispanic communities and the immigration debate has taken dramatic steps after key Republican strategists admitted that the "anti-immigrant" albatross hanging around their necks hurt them in several states last November, a wide-spread failure of Latinos to actually register and vote would mute their impact in 2016.If the polling data is proven correct when the votes are counted, then the actual impact of Latino voters at the ballot box may need to be re-examined. While GOP hopefuls like Congressman Paul Ryan have been busy burnishing their credentials with various Hispanic communities and the immigration debate has taken dramatic steps after key Republican strategists admitted that the "anti-immigrant" albatross hanging around their necks hurt them in several states last November, a wide-spread failure of Latinos to actually register and vote would mute their impact in 2016.
Republicans have only recently woken up to the missed opportunities for courting Latino voters that their party has repeatedly overlooked. For many would-be candidates and poll-watchers, "Latino appeal" will be a key element of any successful push to the Republican nomination three years from now. A repeat of the 70/30 split that Barrack Obama enjoyed over Mitt Romney in the last election is not something that the GOP wants to see repeated.Republicans have only recently woken up to the missed opportunities for courting Latino voters that their party has repeatedly overlooked. For many would-be candidates and poll-watchers, "Latino appeal" will be a key element of any successful push to the Republican nomination three years from now. A repeat of the 70/30 split that Barrack Obama enjoyed over Mitt Romney in the last election is not something that the GOP wants to see repeated.
The winner in today's race for LA mayor will secure his or her victory in one of the most diverse and trend-setting metropolitan areas in the United States. Pundits looking to gain some insights into how Latinos may influence the tenor and direction of national politics in the years and decades to come should take more than just a passing moment to parse the voting data here, once it becomes available.The winner in today's race for LA mayor will secure his or her victory in one of the most diverse and trend-setting metropolitan areas in the United States. Pundits looking to gain some insights into how Latinos may influence the tenor and direction of national politics in the years and decades to come should take more than just a passing moment to parse the voting data here, once it becomes available.
Since narrow margins have become a recurring feature of American elections, it's easy for politicians and pundits to recite the platitude – even if true – that every vote counts. But it's vital to remember that only every vote cast counts.Since narrow margins have become a recurring feature of American elections, it's easy for politicians and pundits to recite the platitude – even if true – that every vote counts. But it's vital to remember that only every vote cast counts.
Every person, Latino or not, who stays home on election day rather than showing up in full force will fail to influence crucial elections, and subsequent policy decisions. Whether LA or Washington DC choose to spend or cut, build or tax, could depend on whether eligible voters who choose not to cast a ballot, and we'd do well to watch whether whole communities come out to make a difference in the race.Every person, Latino or not, who stays home on election day rather than showing up in full force will fail to influence crucial elections, and subsequent policy decisions. Whether LA or Washington DC choose to spend or cut, build or tax, could depend on whether eligible voters who choose not to cast a ballot, and we'd do well to watch whether whole communities come out to make a difference in the race.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.