Gwinnett, Hall among leaders in state in # of Hispanics registered to vote

ATLANTA - The Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO) has released a report highlighting the growing Latino electorate in Georgia.

The report, Latino Voting Strength in Georgia: Making an Impact in 2008, is an ongoing effort to draw attention to policy makers about the growing Latino electorate and is also utilized as a tool to measure progress of Latino voter registration efforts, such as the Georgia Latino Vote.

Gwinnett and Hall counties are among the leaders in the state in the percentage increased in registered Latinos over the past five years. However, despite the growth, the total current number of Latino voters is still not as significant as compared to the rest of Georgia's electorate.

As of Oct. 1, according to the Secretary of State of Georgia, the total number of Georgia registered voters was 4,987,704. Latino registered voters are estimated at 100,139, a small fraction (2 percent) of the overall electorate in Georgia.

But, GALEO says the static total numbers do not illustrate the complete evolution of the Latino voting strength in Georgia.

Executive Director Jerry Gonzalez said you have to consider the "astounding growth rates" associated with one of the newest and growing electorate in Georgia.

The GALEO report says that understanding and assessing the trends amongst the new electorate is important for policy makers and future candidates. By demonstrating the growth trends, GALEO works to ensure that Latino interests will remain part of the considerations of policy makers during their legislative efforts.

The report goes on to say as the Georgia Latino Vote initiative, a nonpartisan voter registration and voter education project (www.eslahora.com), continues to make progress across Georgia, it is important to provide data analysis of the progress being made in voter registration efforts and the results of creating general awareness of the importance of voting within the Latino community for the upcoming elections.

This year has made Gwinnett County home of more than 13,504 Latino registered voters. Cobb County's Latino registered voters are also on the upswing and account for the second highest density of the Latino electorate (7,915) in Georgia. This year also marks the milestone of having Georgia's Latino registered voters surpass 100,000.

Gonzalez said, "based on the growth demonstrated, the Latino electorate will begin to make significant impact on certain local elections, while also making a significant impact on the current competitive statewide races."

He added, "in addition, given the heightened awareness of the anti-immigrant hostility that exists in Georgia, Latino U.S. citizens are feeling compelled to act in support of our Latino families."

Gonzalez noted that many newly naturalized U.S. citizens live in mixed status families.

"These new U.S. citizens are reaching out to ensure their families' voices are heard by these politicians. Having strong family values means that one would stand up for your family when it is targeted by police or anti-immigrant politicians. There has been a great interest in naturalization, great interest in registering to vote and great interest in voting in the upcoming election," he added. "Immigration is seen as a high importance to the Latino electorate."

Through the Georgia Latino Vote initiative, voter registration drives have been conducted resulting in 18,625 newly registered Latino voters in 2008, a growth rate of 30 percent from last year.

"As indicated throughout this report, the impact of the Latino electorate is already here. However, the Latino electorate must harness that potential electoral power by exercising their right to vote in the upcoming election. In voting, Georgia's growing electorate will be heard and Latinos will begin to be a greater part of Georgia's democratic and policy process," Gonzalez concluded.

Report Highlights:

Cobb County: The growth rate of the self-identified Latino registered voters in Cobb County was 645 percent going from 1,063 in January 2003 to 7,915 in October 2008. In fact, much of the growth in Cobb County's registered voter population from January 2003 through October 2008 can be attributed to the "Non-White" categories. With Black, Asian, Hispanic and "Other" categories together to form the "Non-White" group, the total growth during this period was 51,643 registered voters, accounting for 68 percent of the total growth.

Fulton County: From January 2003 to October 2008, the number of Latino self-identified registered voters grew 1,354 percent, from 327 to 4,754.

Gwinnett County: In January 2003, Gwinnett County recorded a total of 803 Latino registered voters. In October 2008, this Metropolitan Atlanta County had 13,504 Latino registered voters, the highest number of Latino registered voters in the state. This demonstrates a 1,582 percent growth rate in self-identified Latino voters.

Hall County: Hall saw a 592 percent growth rate of Latino registered voters from January 2003 to October 2008, increasing from 468 to 3,239.

Whitfield County: There was a 272 percent growth rate in Latino registered voters in Whitfield County. In January 2003, there were 699 Latinos registered to vote, and in October 2008, that number increased to 2,603 Latinos registered to vote.