Running head: RACE IN ELECTIONS 1

Race in Election

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Institutional Affiliation
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Race in Election

American political system for a long time have tried to motivate people to exercise

their voting rights especially the Hispanic votes that are believed to be swing votes going

either side of the political divide; to the republican or democrat front runner. The Hispanic

community have always registered low turnout during elections due to voter apathy, this

action has compelled political leaders to respond affirmatively to the Hispanic interest to

include them into the political body. Politicians have tried appealing to the community by

trying to speak Spanish and putting on sombrero to show the Hispanic voters that they are

one of their own and represent some of their interest in immigration[ CITATION Sar04 \l 1033 ].

However, these tactics have proven to be futile because most of the Hispanic voters find this

irritating.

According to the article, it seems like the Hispanic votes, being the minority voters

play an important role in elections since they determine who is likely to be elected president.

Numbers reveal that the minority group in the United States makes up approximately 30-35

percent of the overall population[ CITATION Wil12 \l 1033 ]. However, when it comes to

political elections and organizations, the numbers are very small. This trend has been

changing in the past elections; both the Democrats and the Republicans have courted the

minority groups that is gaining electoral clout and growing in numbers. The Hispanic and the

blacks make the largest minority group in the US and, as such, are important in a close race.

The article on 2004 campaign reveals that before the 2008 presidential election, the

minority groups were predominately inactive in the political arena. However, with the Obama

effect in the political campaigns, there has been a tremendous increase in in the number of

minority voters. The 2012 election recorded a substantial change on the minority voters’

involvement in the political spectrum.

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References

H.Frey, W. (2012, May 1). Why Minorities Will Decide the 2012 U.S. Election . Retrieved

February 27, 2018, from Brookings: https://www.brookings.edu/opinions/why-

minorities-will-decide-the-2012-u-s-election/

Kershaw, S. (2004, February 2). THE 2004 CAMPAIGN: THE HISPANIC VOTE; A Vital

Bloc, Realizing Its Power, Measures Its Suitors. Retrieved February 27, 2018, from

New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/02/us/2004-campaign-hispanic-

vote-vital-bloc-realizing-its-power-measures-its-suitors.html