This past weekend, Democrats in Pennsylvania focused on engaging Latino voters, particularly Puerto Ricans, with rallies in Bethlehem and door-to-door canvassing in Lancaster. Noted Puerto Rican actors, such as Emmy-winner Liza Colón-Zayas and Hamilton star Anthony Ramos, took part in the efforts. Colón-Zayas emphasized Puerto Ricans’ political power and criticized former President Trump’s handling of Hurricane Maria. Ramos encouraged voters to support Kamala Harris, highlighting the chance to make history by electing her as president.
The mobilization comes at a critical time as Latino voter turnout in Pennsylvania remains lower than other racial and ethnic groups. Over half of the state’s 580,000 eligible Latino voters are Puerto Rican, a group that can potentially sway election outcomes. In the 2020 presidential election, Pennsylvania was decided by fewer than 81,000 votes, making Latino voter turnout even more significant in the 2024 elections. According to Michael Jones-Correa, a political science professor at the University of Pennsylvania, Puerto Rican voters are unique in that they are less likely to be loyal to any specific candidate, offering an opportunity to mobilize or shift their vote.
In Lancaster, 200 canvassers, many from the nonprofit CASA in Action, knocked on doors in collaboration with former Illinois Rep. Luis Gutiérrez. The focus was on voters who don’t typically vote regularly. Jossie Flor Sapunar, CASA’s communications director, described the canvassing as a show of unity between the Puerto Rican and immigrant communities, with canvassers sharing personal immigration stories to motivate eligible voters.
Despite Puerto Ricans’ citizenship, which makes it easier for them to register to vote compared to other Latino communities, Latino voter turnout in Pennsylvania remains low. While Latinos tend to favor Democrats, many stayed home in 2020. Democrats are aiming to prevent a repeat in 2024 by increasing engagement, particularly with low-propensity voters.
At the same time, Republicans are also courting the Puerto Rican vote, with reggaeton star Anuel AA recently expressing support for Trump at a rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The Trump campaign is working to appeal to Puerto Rican voters, urging them to remain united and vote Republican.
Latino voters’ key concerns in the state, according to a UnidosUS survey, include the economy, jobs, immigration, and abortion. These issues, combined with strategic efforts to engage the Puerto Rican electorate, will play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of Pennsylvania—a key battleground state that swung between Trump and Biden in recent elections.
