Gwinnett Daily Post | POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Report analyzes Gwinnett Latino electorate

A recent report shows Latinos have a growing impact on Gwinnett’s political scene.

This week, the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials analyzed voting data, showing that metro Atlanta counties lead in the trend of growth in the Latino electorate.

Since a similar report five years ago, the number of Latino voters in Georgia has risen by 26 percent, bringing that population to 3 percent of the electorate in Georgia.

While the number of voters rose between 2008 and 2012 elections, the Latino voter participation dropped statewide, the report said, calling it a troubling trend that shows analysis of the state voter ID and citizenship check efforts needs to be made.

In Gwinnett, though, participation surpassed the national rate of 48 percent. With the largest density of Hispanic population in the state, the metropolitan county accounts for 17.73 of the statewide Latino electorate, said the analysis made by a University of Georgia political science professor.

The 7th Congressional District, which includes much of Gwinnett and Forsyth counties, has the highest density of Latino registered voters in the state, with 28,058. That accounts for 7.96 percent of the electorate in U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall’s district, the report said. In the 2012 general election, Latino voter turnout rate in the district was 50.5 percent, the report added.

“The numbers and the analysis presented in this report indicate a significant Latino electorate that is engaging quickly,” said GALEO Executive Director Jerry Gonzalez. “The Latino electorate cares about the issue of immigration reform and has demonstrated a capacity to turn out to vote. As the 2014 election unfolds, candidates and elected officials should take the Latino electorate seriously because Latino voters in Georgia are engaged and participate in elections.”

via Gwinnett Daily Post | POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Report analyzes Gwinnett Latino electorate.