Latino voters motivated for midterm election

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Latinos are the fastest growing voter group in the United States. Compared to past midterm elections, they appear to be more engaged.

"Basically, they feel there is a threat. There is an uncertainty within the Latino community so they feel that the number one issue to stop hostility," said Claudia Ortega-Hogue, Texas State Director with the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund. The national non-profit seeks to increase Latino participation in the American political process.

She says, in Texas, they expect more than 1.1 million Latino voters will vote in this election.

"That is an [increase] of 1.4 percent comparing that to the 2014 midterm election," Ortega-Hogue explained.

Locally, that trend is also reflected in early voting numbers in Harris County.

"There has been over a 200 percent increase [in voters] with Spanish surnames," Ortega-Hogue added.

While turnout has increased, there's still a big problem.

The Pew Research Center estimates more than 29 million Latinos are eligible to vote, but experts expect less than 8 million will go to the polls by November 6.

NALEO believes explaining the voting process to Latinos can help bridge the gap such as familiarizing them with the voting machine and explaining what documents they need to take.

Ortega-Hogue also believes campaigns need to invest in Latino voters.

"Political campaigns, candidates, they have not reached out to Latino voters so there's that lack of information," she told FOX 26.