Pew: Hispanics a small part of midterm electorate

Hispanics represent a small portion of the electorate in states playing host to crucial races in the upcoming midterm elections, according to an analysis of census data from the Pew Research Center.

Though Hispanics represent a growing share of eligible voters nationally — just over 25 million Hispanics are eligible to vote this year — the Pew study suggests the demographic might only have an impact on a couple of the races that will determine control of the Senate.

{mosads}Colorado, where incumbent Sen. Mark Udall is facing off against Republican Rep. Cory Gardner, is the only state with a competitive Senate race where Hispanics make up a greater share of eligible voters than they do nationally.

Kansas is the only other battleground state where the Hispanic share of eligible voters is greater than 5 percent.

On average, Hispanics represent 4.7 percent of eligible voters in competitive Senate races and 7.9 percent of eligible voters in competitive gubernatorial races, according to the analysis. And they make up, on average, 13.6 percent of eligible voters in tight House races.

Turnout is also a question for Hispanic voters, who have historically lagged behind that of other demographic groups during midterm elections.

President Obama decided to put off a decision on taking executive actions on immigration until after the election due to pressure from Senate Democrats who believed it would hurt their candidates.

Those counseling against the step argued that Hispanics would make up a small portion of the electorate in close races and that action by Obama would hurt the Democratic Party’s chances of winning the Senate more than it would help it.