Community leaders in Wisconsin discuss importance of the Latino vote

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A panel of community leaders gathered at the Newsroom Pub in downtown Milwaukee Wednesday to discuss the importance of the Latino vote in Wisconsin and across the United States.

The Milwaukee Press Club, WisPolitics.com and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists Wisconsin Chapter held a luncheon featuring a number of guest speakers who focused on certain issues and challenges that Latinos in Wisconsin face.

"Education, health care and the economy, but yeah, immigration is very real for me and for the people that not only I represent, but the people that I work with on a regular basis," said Fabian Maldonado, Racine County board supervisor and political director of Voces de la Frontera.

Hispanic Americans are the largest group of eligible minority voters in the U.S. and the fastest-growing voting bloc in the country.

Darryl Morin, president and chairman of Forward Latino, said Hispanic voters could swing the 2022 midterms -- but only if they exercise their right to vote.

"It means nothing to be the largest demographic group if you're not the largest demographic group that goes off and votes," said Morin.

Close to 35 million Hispanics will be eligible to vote this November, according to the Pew Research Center, an increase from 30 million in 2018. Many, however, face difficulties with language barriers, access to transportation and misinformation.

"We, as a state, have continued to make voting difficult," said Paru Shah, an associate professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

In addition, "there's a recent study that shows that Wisconsin has now become the 4th hardest state to vote in," added Morin.

Experts are hoping that despite some of the challenges, the Hispanic voter turnout in November is as large as it was in 2020.