Latinos take a more conservative view on pot legalization and a more-pro view on gun control, according to a fresh report on politics from the Pew Research Center.
About 49 percent of Hispanics polled support legalization of marijuana versus 53 percent for the total U.S. population. The issue is gaining traction around the nation. Come January, in Dallas County, there may be some loosening on pot prosecution with a pilot project that gives tickets rather than jail time for simple possession, as we reported here.
On gun control, 62 percent of Hispanics say they support controlling gun ownership, versus 45 percent for the nation.
The report comes loaded with political data as the nation approaches the 2014 midterm elections. It's a variation on a theme we've heard for some time: Latinos make up increasing percentages of eligible voters but they punch below their weight.
This report addresses why.
'...the relative youth of the Hispanic population may impact overall Hispanic voter turnout rates,' the report says. 'Young people turn out at rates lower than that of older eligible voters. This is true among Hispanics just as it is among other racial and ethnic groups.'
A third of Hispanic eligible voters are in the 18-to-29 age bloc. Among white eligible voters, that bloc is 18 percent. Among blacks, that share is 25%, and among Asian-Americans, the share is 21%.
A record 25.2 million Latinos will be eligible to vote in 2014 midterm elections. That's 11 percent of all eligible voters.
In Texas, Hispanics are 27.4 percent of the eligible voters. The report drills down on competitive Senate and House races-and excludes Texas from the big brawls.
Just the same, come Monday, Dolores Huerta, the labor and civil rights organizer hits Dallas to encourage folks to go to the polls. Oct. 20th is the first day of early voting.
Huerta is scheduled to be at the Oak Cliff Towers at 400 S. Zang Blvd. at noon.
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Posted by Unknown on Thursday, October 16, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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