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Colorado Hispanic Vote Important in 2012 Election

On a hot day in Pueblo¹, Dominic Martinez goes house-to-house, trying to find voters who favored the Democratic Party four years ago.

He has to contend with yapping dogs as well as people who are reluctant to talk.

"What we are trying to do is sway the voters like if they are not sure if they are for Romney or Obama, and then just identify who they are supporting," Martinez explained.

Half the population of Pueblo is Hispanic and most support President Obama just as they did four years ago. Colorado is among a small number of states considered competitive by both campaigns, states that will likely decide the outcome of the November 6 election.

In Pueblo, experts say, the election will be determined² not so much by voter preference as voter participation³.

That might also hold true in other parts of the state, where University of Colorado at Boulder⁴ political scientist Kenneth Bickers⁵ says apathy⁶ could diminish Hispanic turnout at the polls.

"If they come out and vote in very large numbers, given the polls, it would suggest that would be a very strong margin⁷ for the president's reelection," said Bickers. "If Latinos stay home in large numbers, that will make it really difficult for the president to carry this state."

With that in mind, Obama supporter Teresa Trujillo, of the Colorado Progressive Action group in Pueblo, is coordinating⁸ canvassing⁹ efforts with other groups.

"Where we see increased engagement is out of door-to-door canvassing and ground efforts," Trujillo noted¹⁰.

One Hispanic hoping to see that effort fail is Republican Silverio Salazar, who says many voters are discouraged by the poor economy.

"The question is: 'Are they better off than they were four years ago?' And maybe one out of a group of 40 or 50 is still maintaining a job, the rest are unemployed," said Salazar. "And no, they are not better off."

Salazar says Republicans could benefit in this election if Hispanic Democrats¹¹ remain discouraged.

"They may just stay home and say, 'Let someone else decide this election, I'm not,'" Salazar added.

As Election Day approaches, canvassers from both parties will be making an intense effort to get their voters to the polls.