Profile of Latino Electorate and Candidates Released in Advance of Upcoming New York City Election

New York City is home to the nation's largest Latino population, setting the stage for the Latino community to play a decisive role in the upcoming election as both voters and candidates

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund today released a profile of Latino voters and candidates in advance of the election in New York City on Tuesday, November 5, 2013.

New York City is home to more than 2.4 million Latinos--the largest Latino population of any city in the United States.  With Latinos comprising 29 percent of the city's population and 22 percent of all registered voters, the community is poised to play a decisive role in the mayoral election and several other contests.

"Latinos are poised to play a decisive role as both voters and candidates in New York City's elections on Tuesday," stated Arturo Vargas, NALEO Educational Fund Executive Director. "The stakes are high and our organization will be working diligently in the coming days to ensure that the Latino community and its voters have the information necessary to cast ballots for the candidates of their choice this election."

Notable findings from the profile analysis of Latino voters and candidates in New York City include the following:

• Between 2000 and 2010, New York City's total population grew from more than 8 million to nearly 8.2 million, an increase of 2.1 percent.  During the same period, the city's Latino population grew from nearly 2.2 million to more than 2.3 million, an increase of 8.1 percent;
• In terms of their distribution by age, New York City's Latino and non-Latino registered voters are very similar.  Less than 10 percent of Latino voters are between 18-24, nearly half (46 percent) are between 25-49, one-quarter (26 percent) are between 50-64 and about one of every five Latino voters are age 65 and over;
• Between 2002 and 2012, the number of Latinos serving in New York City municipal elected offices (including Borough positions) increased from 10 to 13.  Currently, 12 Latinos serve on the New York City Council, and one serves as Bronx Borough President.

Latino candidates are likely to fare well following Tuesday's election.  Incumbent Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. is likely to win his re-election contest.  In the races for New York City Council seats, eight of the 12 incumbent Latino City Councilmembers are running for re-election this year. These incumbents are either running unopposed or have excellent prospects of victory in 2013: Maria Del Carmen Arroyo, Fernando Cabrera, Julissa Ferreras, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Rosie Mendez, Annabel Palma, Ydanis Rodriguez, and Mark Weprin.

Four new Latinos are likely to gain seats on the City Council after the election next week.  In Brooklyn Council District 34, Antonio Reynoso, Chief of Staff to City Councilmember Diana Reyna, has excellent prospects of victory in his contest.  State Assemblymember Rafael L. Espinal, Jr. is also likely to win his race in Brooklyn Council District 37. In Bronx Council District 15, Ritchie Torres, Housing Director for City Councilmember Jimmy Vacca, is likely to win his race against Joel R. Rivera, Community Liaison for Controller John Liu.

Carlos Menchaca, former aide to City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, also has excellent prospects of emerging victorious in the Brooklyn Council District 38 race.  If he wins, Menchaca will become the first Mexican American to serve on the City Council.

In advance of the election, NALEO Educational Fund has been actively working to ensure that the Latino community has the information necessary to make their voices heard at the ballot box next Tuesday.  These efforts include operating the NALEO Educational Fund and ya es hora ¡Ve Y Vota! campaign toll-free bilingual hotline 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682) and the yaeshora.info website to provide Latino voters with vital information on every aspect of the electoral process in 2013, from registering to vote, to voter ID requirements, to finding their polling place on Election Day.

To view the full profile of the Latino electorate and candidates in New York City, visit the NALEO Educational Fund website at http://www.naleo.org/2013_Images/2013_New_York_City-3.pdf.

About NALEO Educational Fund
The NALEO Educational Fund is the nation's leading non-profit organization that facilitates the full participation of Latinos in the American political process, from citizenship to public service.

Contact: Amanda Bosquez, [email protected], (202) 546-2536 ext. 12, (361) 548-6989 (cell)
Paula Valle Castanon, [email protected], (213) 747-7606 ext. 4414, (323) 253-6431 (cell)

SOURCE NALEO Educational Fund