Here's a provocative story in the Texas Tribune. In 2301, when we discuss voter turnout, we cover the low turnout numbers of Latino voters. This hurts Democrats primarily. The question thsi story poses is whether legislation passed by the Texas legislature that some argue works against Latino interests might increase turnout.
Some Latinos and Democrats argue the bill could spark what they dubbed Texas’ Proposition 187 movement. In 1994, Proposition 187 was introduced in California as a ballot initiative to eliminate an illegal immigrant’s access to health care, education and other services. Many consider it the precursor to Arizona’s controversial bill, which in turn led to similar proposals in other states, including Texas. The bill, though approved by voters, created a backlash that many say led to waning support for the GOP in that state. It is credited with the party’s failure to win a statewide seat for several election cycles after it was introduced. (The legislation subsequently faced several challenges in court and was never implemented.)
“Before that California was very much a purple state, and it was solidly more on the red side than it was on the blue side,” Kumar said. “He [former Calif. Gov. Pete Wilson] politicized the Latino community in a way that we had never seen. California now is a solidly blue state close to 20 years later and that is not insignificant.”
Texas is a different matter altogether, however . . .
Please read on.
