Where immigrants will have the most voting power in 2020
Foreign-born voters make up nearly 10% of the electorate — a record percentage — and could prove to be a key constituency this November, reports Stef W. Kight for Axios. According to analysis of Census data from New American Economy (NAE), battleground states like Texas and Florida may see sizable swings, even beyond metro areas. “Immigrants also are moving to less-expected places such as Twin Falls, Idaho (8.5%) and Cass County, North Dakota (6.8%).” Said NAE Director of Quantitative Research Andrew Lim: “I think for many years past it was just regarded as a big city issue … That is clearly no longer the case.”
Texas, Georgia and Virginia as well as Florida could see swings with statewide or national implications. Congressional races to watch include Texas’ 22nd district, Georgia’s 7th and California’s 39th, 45th, and 48th — reaching into counties where immigrants comprise around one in five eligible voters, according to the analysis by New American Economy (NAE).