By Caitlyn Russell
Darlyn Bustillo vividly remembers the day when her middle-school social studies teacher organized a mock election. The classroom buzzed with excitement as students lined up to cast their votes. She was excited to use her voice; it felt new and optimistic.
Four years later, Bustillo reflects on that mock election as she prepares to vote in the 2024 presidential election. The stakes feel higher than ever to her, and the political climate is charged with nervousness and questions. For Bustillo, this election is particularly impactful because it highlights the growing influence of Latino voters in the United States.
Recent census data indicate that 3.28% of people in Mississippi are Latino. Latinos now make up nearly 19% of the U.S. population, and their voter turnout has been steadily increasing. In the 2022 presidential election, a record 16.6 million Latinos cast their ballots, a number that is expected to be even higher this year.
Pew Research show that 36.2. million Latinos were registered to vote this year. The Latino electorate tends to have diverse political views, making them a critical and dynamic voting bloc. Data from the Pew Research Center indicate that while a significant portion of Latino voters lean toward the Democratic Party, a considerable segment supports Republican candidates.
With the 2024 presidential election it remains to be seen how many Latino voters Vice President Kamala Harris pulls away from Donald Trump after offensive comments about Puerto Ricans and Latinos at his Madison Square Garden campaign rally on Oct. 27, 2024, drawing condemnation from many prominent celebrities and leaders.
Fears of Mass Deportation
The political diversity within Latino communities means that both parties must actively engage with voters and address their concerns on key issues such as immigration, health care and education. As a result, the Latino community’s preferences and turnout can tip the scales in closely contested elections, making them a crucial demographic for any candidate aiming for victory.
Some groups in Mississippi are helping the Latino community by advocating for their voting rights, including the Mississippi Hispanic Association and Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance. MHA aims to awaken concern and bring interest to the history, traditions and current issues in the Latino community within Mississippi, while MIRA advocates, educates, and organizes immigrant and allied communities to spread awareness.
In addition, advocacy groups across the country are working to ensure that every eligible Latino voter is registered and ready to vote. Organizations like Mississippi Hispanic Association and Mississippi Immigrants Right Alliance have been conducting voter-registration drives, providing educational resources, and advocating for policies that address the unique challenges the Latino community faces.
On the national level, Vice President Kamala Harris has drawn endorsements from UndiosUS and Voto Latino in her bid for the U.S. presidency this year. More conservative groups like National Rifle Association (NRA) and Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) have endorsed former President Donald Trump, as well as anti-immigrant organizations including Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) and Center for Immigrant Studies (CIS).
Trump and vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance is calling for mass deportation of up to 20 million immigrants in what Scientific American magazine says “echoes concentration camp history” from Cuba to Nazi Germany.
Vance’s and Trump’s strict stance has raised concerns among immigrant communities across the United States, including in Mississippi. There are approximately 25,000 undocumented immigrants in Mississippi, Migration Policy states. These individuals, along with their families, could be at risk if such mass deportation policies were implemented. The impact would not only affect those directly targeted but also the broader community, including schools, workplaces and local economies that rely on the contributions of immigrant populations.
Part of a Larger Movement for Change
Bustillo is now a young adult, eagerly anticipating her first real opportunity to vote. This year is particularly significant, not just for her, but for the entire Latino community. For Bustillo, this election is not just about casting a ballot; it’s about being part of a larger movement for change.
The recent high-school graduate spoke of a time when her father was taken away from her, and how traumatic it was to witness that. When Bustillo’s dad returned home, she felt a sense of relief to know that he was safe and back with his family.
Bustillo realized this might not be reality for long, however. She has been volunteering with local advocacy groups, helping to register new voters and spreading awareness about the importance of civic engagement. She believes that every vote counts and that the collective power of the Latino community can bring about meaningful change.
As she prepares to cast her first vote, Bustillo feels a deep sense of pride and responsibility, knowing that her vote is a testament to the hard work and perseverance of countless individuals who have fought for the right to be heard.
This year, she is not just voting for herself—she is voting for her community, for her future and for the belief that every voice matters.
Caitlyn Russell is a 2024 Youth Media Project student who attends Ridgeland High School.
