2002-10-02-皮尤-Pew_Hispanic_Center_Kaiser_Family_Foundation_National_Survey_Of_Latinos_44页_360kb

Summary of the Pew Hispanic Center/Kaiser Family Foundation National Survey of Latinos: The Latino Electorate (October 2002)

Core Content

The survey highlights the growing influence of the Latino electorate in American politics, noting its unique characteristics in terms of demographics, party identification, and policy preferences. It underscores the impact of immigration on the political landscape and the complex relationship between Latino voters and the major political parties.

Methodology

• Conducted between April 4 and June 11, 2002.
• Surveyed 4,213 adults, 18 years and older, in a nationally representative sample.
• Interviews were conducted in English or Spanish based on the respondent's preference.
• Results are weighted to reflect the actual distribution of adults in the United States.
• The survey includes responses from registered Latino voters, non-Hispanic whites, and non-Hispanic African Americans.

Key Findings

I. Demographics and the Hispanic Electorate

• Immigration Impact: The majority of registered Latino voters are immigrants or children of immigrants. 72% were born outside the U.S. or have parents born outside the U.S.
• Citizenship Status: 41% of Latinos in the U.S. are not U.S. citizens. 14% are citizens but not registered to vote. Only 45% of all Latinos are registered to vote.
• Age Distribution: The Latino electorate is somewhat younger than the white electorate. 23% are aged 18–29, compared to 15% of white voters.
• Language Use: Most registered Latinos are bilingual or prefer Spanish. 53% get news from English-language media, 27% from Spanish, and 19% from both.

II. Party Identification and Partisan Loyalty

• Party Affiliation: 49% of registered Latinos identify as Democrats, 20% as Republicans, and 19% as Independents.
• Cuban Exception: Cubans are more likely to identify as Republicans (54%) compared to other Latino groups.
• Generational Differences: Younger Latinos (18–29) are more independent, while older Latinos (55+) are more Democratic.
• Party Comparison: Registered Latinos show more ambivalence toward the parties compared to registered whites and African Americans. 40% feel no difference between the parties, while 45% favor Democrats over Republicans.

III. Policy Issues and Attitudes Toward Government

• Trust in Government: Registered Latinos have similar trust in the federal government as registered whites but are more evenly split on whether government or private organizations do the best job of providing services.
• Government Size and Taxes: 55% of registered Latinos prefer higher taxes for a larger government, while 38% prefer lower taxes and smaller government.
• Social Conservatism: Registered Latinos are more socially conservative than whites, especially on issues like abortion and same-sex relationships.
• Education as a Key Issue: Education is the most important issue for Latino voters, with 58% citing it as a top priority. This is significantly higher than for whites (40%) and African Americans (46%).
• Policy Differences by Party: Latino Democrats are more socially conservative than white Democrats, and Latino Republicans are more supportive of a larger government than white Republicans.

IV. Attitudes Toward Immigration

• Immigration Views: Registered Latinos have distinct views on immigration, particularly regarding undocumented immigrants and legal immigration from Latin America.
• Support for Legal Status: 85% of registered Latinos support granting legal status to undocumented immigrants from Latin America.
• Guest Worker Programs: 68% support guest worker proposals, although some are more supportive than others.
• Economic Impact: 62% of registered Latinos believe undocumented immigrants help the economy, while 31% think they hurt it by lowering wages.
• Native-Born vs. Foreign-Born: Native-born Latinos are more likely to oppose increased immigration and believe undocumented immigrants hurt the economy, while foreign-born Latinos are more supportive of open immigration policies.

Key Information

• The Latino electorate is becoming a significant political force, with broad but not deep party loyalty.
• Immigration is a major factor shaping the political views of Latinos, especially regarding undocumented immigrants and legal immigration policies.
• Education is a top priority for Latino voters, surpassing other key issues like the economy and health care.
• There is a notable ambivalence toward the Democratic Party, particularly when considering the impact of President Bush.
• Party identification among Latinos varies significantly by birthplace and age, with foreign-born Latinos more likely to identify as Democrats and younger voters more likely to be independent.
• The majority of unregistered Latino citizens are less attached to political parties and are more evenly split in their views on government and private organizations.
• Latino voters who plan to become citizens are more likely to identify as Independents, showing uncertainty in party affiliation.

Conclusion

The survey indicates that the Latino electorate is a diverse and growing group with unique political preferences and concerns. While they tend to support the Democratic Party, there is a notable level of ambivalence and variability based on factors such as birthplace, age, and personal values. Their strong support for education and immigration reform, along with their social conservatism, presents a complex political profile that challenges traditional categorizations.