Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions and hard-line immigration policies under the Trump administration are driving historic numbers of Latino voters to the polls, defying expectations that fear would suppress turnout. Activists, volunteers, and organizers interviewed by WIRED reported that anti-ICE sentiment is serving as a powerful motivator rather than a deterrent.
Record-Breaking Turnout and Data
Early voting figures indicate that citizens are casting ballots at significantly higher rates than in previous elections. By Monday afternoon, early national voting surpassed 57 million people, exceeding the 2022 midterms total by 10 million. Data from the University of Florida’s Election Lab shows that Latino communities are accounting for an increased share of the electorate in multiple states.
Democratic strategist and TargetSmart adviser Tom Bonier revealed in an interview that Texas has seen over 400,000 new voters who did not participate in 2024 cast ballots, with 50 percent of them identifying as Latino. Nationwide figures from TargetSmart show that 3.8 million Hispanic and Latino voters cast ballots by October 27, marking a substantial rise from 2.35 million by the same date in 2022.
University of Florida Election Lab director Michael McDonald noted in an analysis that high turnout is occurring in major Hispanic communities across Texas, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. Data shared with WIRED by the League of United Latin American Citizens highlighted that in Texas’ 15th congressional district, over 12,000 early voters did not participate in prior elections, a figure that could heavily impact the district.
Community Mobilization and Defiance
Grassroots organizations nationwide have spent months urging communities to make their voices heard. Liliana Rivera Baiman, an organizer with 614 ICE Watch and the Ohio Good Neighbor Network, told WIRED that organizers presented voters with the stark reality of the situation, motivating them to choose between casting a ballot or dealing with continued challenges.
Jill Garvey, executive director of States at the Core, told WIRED that individuals who have directly faced ICE surges understand the need for preparation. Garvey noted that these communities are slightly less frightened because they have already confronted these difficult circumstances and recognize the importance of readiness.
In Arizona, Living United for Change volunteer spokesperson César Fierros told WIRED that thousands of doors were recently knocked on, resulting in 1,000 people reporting they had already voted early or mailed their ballots. In Georgia’s DeKalb County, Save America Movement cofounder and executive director Mary Corcoran told WIRED that voters arriving at early polling locations stated nothing would prevent them from exercising their right to vote.
Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar emphasized to WIRED that elected leaders need to be direct and authentic when engaging with the Latino community to earn their trust and encourage participation. Common Cause vice president of states Suzanne Almeida echoed this view, telling WIRED that it is vital to lean into community defiance and remind voters that the opposition would not create obstacles if voting did not hold significant power.
