JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As the results file in for the 2020 general election, the Hispanic demographic proved it can sway final decisions.
In Duval County, members of the Hispanic community say they saw more campaigns targeting their votes this year.
“Most politicians, the wise politicians, at some point or another have addressed the Hispanic community,” said Hispanic voter Carlos Bouvier.
Yanira Cardona with Yaya Productions encouraged her community to get to the polls and says she’s pleased with the turnout.
“It’s time for us to unite, and what we want Jacksonville to know is that we’re here to make the city better,” Cardona said.
Out of 37,496 Hispanics registered to vote in Duval County, 9,289 are Republicans, 14,597 are Democrats and 13,004 have no party affiliation.
“This is the first campaign that I really felt the division between the Hispanics when it comes to Republican and Democrats," Cardona said.
According to the 2020 census, Hispanics make up about 10.5% of Duval County’s population -- a 3% increase from 2018.
While they may be in the same spot, not all of them have the same values.
“I come from an island where we have a big government with high taxes," said Hispanic voter Emilio Ruiz. "The Republican Party is the party that represents small government, low taxes, conservative values. That’s what I put in my mind whenever I go cast my vote.”
“The push was for us to unite and go out there and vote because we care about our climate change, we care about our legal rights, becoming American citizens, and we care about our working field,” Cardona said.
Hispanic voters say also in their minds while voting were responses to disaster relief and passing the minimum wage.