ARIZONA LATINO

VOTER ATTITUDE
SURVEY

Open Primaries is a movement of diverse Americans who believe in a

simple, yet radical idea: no American should be required to join a
political party to exercise his or her right to vote.

The mission of Open Primaries is to advocate for open and nonpartisan

primary systems, counter efforts to impose closed primaries, educate
voters, train and support spokespeople, and participate in the building
of local, state and national open primaries coalitions.
Open Primaries
36 West 25th Street 9th Floor
New York, NY 10010
646.205.0202
www.openprimaries.org

Open Primaries Arizona

20 E Thomas Road #2200
Phoenix, AZ 85012
623.455.6076 2
www.openprimariesaz.org

METHODOLOGY
Study of Arizona Latino Voters
Methodology Statement
The Open Primaries - Arizona Latino Voter Study was a survey of 1500 Latino Registered Voters conducted from November 6th
through November 15th, 2015 by Bendixen & Amandi International. The 1500 completed interviews were equally divided
between high frequency voters (defined as those who had participated in 3 or 4 of the last 4 elections) and low frequency voters
(defined as those who had participated in 0, 1 or 2 of the last 4 elections) and were further divided in each group to properly
represent Latino voter registration in each of Arizonas 9 Congressional Districts. Registered Democrats, Republicans and
Independent voters were all included in the sample.
The sample selection process for this study was a representative random sample of registered Latino voters using a nth sample
selection process including both landlines and cell phones across the Arizona database of registered voters. The process for
selecting Latino registered voters from these voter files is extremely accurate. The respondents were interviewed by
professionally trained bi-lingual interviewers and were provided with language of choice interviewing either to have the survey
conducted in English or Spanish. This study has a margin of error of +/- 2.5% at a 95% level of confidence.
Respondents were advised that the survey is being conducted by an independent research organization and that we will not
attempt to sell anything to them. Additionally, respondents were advised that all responses are kept strictly confidential and
none of the answers they provided will be attributed to them personally or associated with their name or personal information.
All respondents were screened to ensure that they were Latino, over the age of 18 and registered to vote.

KEY FINDINGS
ARIZONA LATINO VOTER SURVEY
Latino voters in Arizona are disillusioned with the state of politics. 75% believe that elected officials
are mainly loyal to their party, not their constituents. 93% support changes to the electoral system
that would foster more accountability. 90% of Latinos think their community needs new strategies
and new ways of empowerment.
Latinos respect the electoral gains they have made within the Democratic Party, but also believe it
is important to make inroads within the Republican Party. They understand the growing trend
towards independence (41% of Arizona Latinos are now registered to vote as independents), and
express a strong desire to vote for the best candidates, regardless of party.
Latinos are critical of government leaders for failing to bring Arizonans together across cultures, and
67% express concern that they are rarely if ever contacted by candidates asking for their votes.
4

LATINO VOTER PERCEPTIONS OF THE

POLITICAL LANDSCAPE IN ARIZONA

What do you consider to be the top issues facing the State of Arizona today?
UP TO THREE RESPONSES ACCEPTED, TOTAL EXCEEDS 100%
60%

54%
48%

50%

36%

40%

30%

16%

20%

9%
10%

0%

Education

Immigration

Jobs & Economy

Healthcare

State budget

6%
Taxes

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

4%
Community Division

4%
Youth Programs

4%
Transportation

3%
Don't know/no
answer

Arizona is a state with many different communities and cultures. How would you rate how successful
Arizonas government leaders have been in respecting all cultures in bringing people in the state
together: Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor?

5%

Excellent/Good

26%

21%

73%

36%

37%

Fair/Poor

1%

Don't know/No answer

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

50%

60%

70%

80%

Arizona is a state with many different communities and cultures. How would you rate how successful
Arizonas government leaders have been in respecting all cultures in bringing people in the state
together: Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor?

BY PARTY

Excellent/Good
Fair/Poor
Dont know/No answer

INDEPENDENT

DEMOCRAT

REPUBLICAN

23%
75%
2%

18%
80%
2%

44%
54%
2%

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

Do you think the Latino community has the elected political representation
that it needs?

6%

27%

Yes

67%

No
DK/Refused

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

Do you think the Latino community has the elected political representation
that it needs?
BY PARTY

INDEPENDENT

DEMOCRAT

REPUBLICAN

Yes

24%

32%

22%

No

70%

62%

71%

Dont know/No answer

6%

6%

7%

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

10

Do you think your elected officials in the state legislature and in Congress are mainly
loyal to their community or mainly loyal to the political party they belong to?

80%

75%

70%
60%
50%

40%
30%

9%

20%

10%

6%

10%
0%

Party

Community

Both

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

No answer

11

Would you support changes to our election system that would foster
elected officials being more loyal and accountable to the voters?

4%

3%

Yes

93%

No
DK/Refused

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

12

Do you think we need new strategies and new ways for empowerment?

2%

8%
Yes
No

90%

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

DK/Refused

13

A group of Latino Republican leaders held a press conference recently criticizing some
Republican presidential candidates for demeaning remarks about immigration.
Do you expect the Republican Party will take action in response?

8%

Yes

39%

53%

No
DK/Refused

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

14

Latinos are the fastest growing segment of the population in Arizona

and represent a large portion of Arizonas registered voters. 21% of all
eligible voters in Arizona are Latino and that number is projected to be
25% by 2030. However, Latinos only represented 14% of votes cast in
the last election.
Id like to read you a few statements about why Latinos in Arizona may
not be voting. For each statement please tell me whether you think
the statement is true or false.

15

People are too busy to vote.

1%

31%

True

68%

False
DK/Refused

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

16

The important political decisions are made before people

get to vote. So it doesnt matter who the people vote for.
3%

47%

50%

True
False
DK/Refused

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

17

The important political decisions are made before people get to vote.
So it doesnt matter who the people vote for.
BY PARTY

INDEPENDENT

DEMOCRAT

REPUBLICAN

True

50%

49%

36%

False

47%

47%

62%

Dont know/No answer

3%

4%

2%

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

18

Most politicians dont understand or care about the Latino

community, so why bother to vote?

3%

51%

46%

True
False
DK/Refused

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

19

Most politicians dont understand or care about the Latino

community, so why bother to vote?
BY PARTY

INDEPENDENT

DEMOCRAT

REPUBLICAN

True

50%

61%

35%

False

46%

37%

62%

Dont know/No answer

4%

2%

3%

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

20

Most politicians dont understand or care about the Latino

community, so why bother to vote?
BY LANGUAGE OF INTERVIEW

ENGLISH

SPANISH

True

48%

60%

False

49%

37%

Dont know/No answer

3%

3%

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

21

Candidates rarely contact us, and we dont really

understand the choices.
2%

31%

True

67%

False
DK/Refused

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

22

WHY ARE LATINO VOTERS UNDERPERFORMING?

SUMMARY

TRUE

FALSE

Candidates rarely contact us, and we dont really understand

the choices.

67%

31%

Most politicians dont understand or care about the Latino

community, so why bother to vote?

51%

46%

The important political decisions are made before people get

to vote. So it doesnt matter who the people vote for.

47%

50%

People are too busy to vote

31%

68%

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

23

Historically, the majority of the Latino electorate in Arizona has tended to

support the Democratic Party and Democratic candidates and has become an
important element of the Democratic coalition in the state. This has resulted in a
number of elected Latino members of Congress, the state legislature, and local
government.
Id like to ask you a few questions about the historic linkages between the Latino
community and the Democratic Party in Arizona. For each of the following
statements, please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the statement.

24

The Democrats in Arizona have no power so even when Latinos are

elected as Democrats they cannot accomplish anything.

25%

Strongly/Somewhat agree

53%

32%

21%

Somewhat/Strongly disagree

44%

19%

3%

Don't know/No answer

0%

10%

20%

30%

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

40%

25

50%

60%

The Democrats in Arizona have no power so even when Latinos are

elected as Democrats they cannot accomplish anything.
BY AGE

18-34

35-49

50-64

65+

Strongly/Somewhat agree

36%

41%

46%

50%

Somewhat/Strongly disagree

62%

57%

51%

45%

Dont know/No answer

1%

2%

4%

5%

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

26

The Democrats in Arizona have no power so even when Latinos are

elected as Democrats they cannot accomplish anything.
BY LANGUAGE OF INTERVIEW

ENGLISH

SPANISH

Strongly/Somewhat agree

40%

54%

Somewhat/Strongly disagree

58%

43%

Dont know/No answer

2%

3%

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

27

Republicans are the majority party in Arizona and don't care about Latino issues, Latinos
should become more active in the Republican Party because there is power in the majority.

36%

Strongly/Somewhat agree

14%

Somewhat/Strongly disagree

19%

55%

41%

27%

4%

Don't know/No answer

0%

10%

20%

30%

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

40%

28

50%

60%

Republicans are the majority party in Arizona and don't care about Latino issues, Latinos
should become more active in the Republican Party because there is power in the majority.
BY PARTY

INDEPENDENT

DEMOCRAT

REPUBLICAN

Strongly/Somewhat agree

56%

50%

64%

Somewhat/Strongly disagree

40%

48%

32%

Dont know/No answer

5%

2%

4%

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

29

Latinos are on the right track in Arizona. Its just a matter of time before Latinos
gain more influence. The Latino community should stick with the Democrats.

32%

Strongly/Somewhat agree

59%

36%

22%

14%

Somewhat/Strongly disagree

27%

5%

Don't know/No answer

0%

10%

20%

30%

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

40%

30

50%

60%

While many Latino Democrats have been elected to office they have not
been able to deliver on the issues the Latino community cares about.

37%

Strongly/Somewhat agree

16%

Somewhat/Strongly disagree

68%

31%

27%

11%

5%

Don't know/No answer

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

50%

31

60%

70%

INSIGHTS INTO THE

INDEPENDENT VOTER

41% of Arizona Latinos are registered to vote as independents.

Among young voters, it is even higher.
Id like to read you a few statements about why Latinos in
Arizona may be registering as independents. For each statement
please tell me whether you think the statement is true or false.
ASKED ONLY OF REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS

33

People register as independent because they feel they dont know enough
about politics to join one or the other party.
ASKED ONLY OF REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS
3%

43%

54%

True
False
DK/Refused

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

34

Being an independent is a way to focus on the candidates and the issues.

ASKED ONLY OF REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS
5%

34%

61%

True
False
DK/Refused

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

35

The major political parties spend too much time fighting and not
enough time solving problems so it makes sense not to join.
ASKED ONLY OF REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS
2%

22%

76%

True
False
DK/Refused

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

36

Latinos want to see good candidates, regardless of what party they are in.
ASKED ONLY OF REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS
2%

10%
True

88%

False
DK/Refused

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

37

41% of Latino voters in Arizona are now registered as

Independents. Speaking from your own experience,
we would like to learn what the motivation is for
deciding to become an independent.
ASKED ONLY OF INDEPENDENTS

38

Which of the following best describes why you chose to register as

an Independent?
ASKED ONLY OF INDEPENDENTS, UP TO TWO RESPONSES ACCEPTED TOTALS EXCEED 100%

60%

51%

50%
40%
30%

21%
15%

20%

12%

7%

10%

2%

5%

0%
I want to be able to
vote for the best
candidate

I don't want any party

telling me who to
vote for

I am Independent

The political climate

in Arizona is too
partisan and negative

I did not know much

about either party

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

39

I don't want to get

mail or phone calls

Other

PROFILE OF THE
ARIZONA LATINO VOTER

Age

24%

19%
18-34

35-49

50-64

65+

27%

30%

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

41

Gender

53%

47%
Male

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

42

Female

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

35%
31%

35%

25%

30%
25%
20%

15%
10%

7%
2%

5%
0%
Elementary school

Highschool/GED

Two-year or technical
school

College graduate

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

43

Don't know/No
answer

What is your total annual household income before taxes?

25%
25%

20%
20%

17%
14%

13%

15%

11%

10%

5%

0%
Less than $25K

$25-50K

$50-75K

$75-100K

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

$100K+

44

Don't know/No
answer

How long have you lived in Arizona?

73%

80%
70%
60%

50%
40%
30%
20%
10%

3%

7%

8%

7%

2%

0%
Less than 5 years

6-10 years

11-15 years

16-20 years

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

20+ years

45

Don't know/No
answer

Congressional District
27%

30%
25%
20%

16%

15%

15%
10%

9%

8%

7%
5%

5%

9%

4%

0%
CD 1

CD 2

CD 3

CD 4

CD 5

CD 6

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

CD 7

46

CD 8

CD 9

Do you consider yourself to be conservative, moderate, or liberal?

24%

Very/Somewhat conservative

39%

15%

32%

Moderate

Somewhat/Very liberal

11%

Don't know/No answer

4%
0%

5%

25%

14%

10%

15%

20%

ARIZONA LATINO VOTERS SURVEY

NOVEMBER 2015

25%

47

30%

35%

40%

FOR MORE INFORMATION,

CONTACT:

FERNAND R. AMANDI
PRINCIPAL
305.529.9916
FAMANDI@BENDIXENONLINE.COM