Hispanic voter participation is lower than any group categorized by the U.S. Census Bureau. Although on average 75 percent of registered voters participate in elections in other groups, Hispanic voter participation typically hovers around 65 percent. The low voter turnout in the Hispanic community lessens their political influence. Parties, unfortunately, pay more attention to voters than they do nonvoters. Washburn attributed the disproportionate amount of youth in the Hispanic community.
Voter participation increases with age.
David Dillman, Democratic county chairman, said Hispanic voter participation is bound to increase as socioeconomic statuses of the community improve. Obviously, now, voter turnout of Hispanics is quite low. In Texas, there seems to not be the political activism than in past. Low voter turnout is tied to lower educational attainment, poverty rates, lack of professional status. The socioeconomic status of the Hispanic community is improving, he said, which will lead to increasing voter participation by the community in elections.