Over seventy percent of Latinos in California and Texas are more likely to support a candidate who is in favor of regulating artificial intelligence to ensure it cannot replace jobs, according to a new poll released today by the Latino Community Foundation and conducted by BSP Research.
Weeks away from Election Day, the statewide poll finds significant concerns among Latino voters about artificial intelligence and data center construction, while economic issues, including the cost of living, housing affordability, jobs, and the economy remain top priorities. These findings come on the heels of timely political and policy debates, both nationally and locally, on the demands to regulate artificial intelligence.
Between September 1 and September 15, BSP Research surveyed 1,250 registered Latino voters each in California and Texas about their candidate preferences, ballot measures, and issues shaping their views, including affordability, AI and data centers, immigration enforcement, and election confidence.
Key Poll Highlights:
How California Latinos plan to vote on this year’s ballot
- For Governor, 55% of Latino voters plan to vote for Xavier Becerra and 20% for Steve Hilton, while 25% are undecided
- For U.S. House of Representatives candidates in their district, 61% of Latino voters plan to vote for the Democrat for Congress, 21% for the Republican for Congress
- On Proposition 39, 47% of Latino voters plan to vote in favor, 32% plan to vote against, and 21% are undecided
- On Proposition 40, 62% of Latino voters plan to vote in favor, 18% against, and 20% are undecided
How Texas Latinos plan to vote on this year’s candidates
- For U.S. Senate, 52% of Latino voters plan to vote for James Talarico, 19% for Ken Paxton, and 23% are undecided
- For Governor, 46% of Latino voters plan to vote for Gina Hinojosa, 27% for Greg Abbott, and 22% are undecided
- For U.S. House of Representatives candidates in their district, 54% of Latino voters plan to vote for the Democrat for Congress, 27% for the Republican for Congress
Latino voters are energized to vote this election, but aren’t being engaged
- Latino voters (89% in California and 84% in Texas) reported that they will probably or certainly vote in this year’s election. Despite this motivation, voters (40% in California and 45% in Texas) reported that they have not received any contact from a political entity or organization asking them to vote
Latinos are concerned about new technology, including AI, data centers, and ICE
- Latino voters (70% in California and 72% in Texas) are more likely to vote for a candidate for statewide office if they support regulating AI to ensure it can’t replace jobs done by humans unless certain safety security measure are in place
- Latino voters (66% in California and 59% in Texas) are more likely to vote for a candidate for statewide office if they oppose AI data center construction in their region
- Latino voters (41% in California and 44% in Texas) are more concerned than excited about the use of artificial intelligence in everyday life
- Fifty percent of Latino voters in California and Texas do not favor any construction of data centers in their community
- Latino voters (36% in California and 37% in Texas) favor a temporary pause in data center construction until community concerns are first addressed
- Latino voters (70% in California and 67% in Texas) are more likely to vote for a candidate for statewide office if they support reforming immigration and customs enforcement, including requiring body cameras
Economic Issues are top of mind for Latino voters
- Latino voters (57% in California and 56% in Texas) ranked cost of living/inflation as the most important issue facing their respective states
- Latino voters (36% in California and 28% in Texas) ranked housing costs and affordability the second most important issue, followed by jobs and the economy (31% in California and 33% in Texas)
- Latino voters (78% in California and 74% in Texas) do not think the Trump administration has been effective in addressing inflation and the cost of living
- Looking ahead to next year, Latinos (62% in California and 60% in Texas) think President Trump’s economic policies will make them worse off
- Latino voters (50% in California and 52% in Texas) are not confident they will have enough money for each month’s expenses (rent, food, insurance, gas, utilities)
“Latino voters are a powerful force, and they are poised to have a profound impact on November’s elections,” said Julián Castro, CEO of the Latino Community Foundation. “Latinos are clear that the current economy isn’t working for them or their families. They’re deeply concerned about inflation, rising housing costs, and the acceleration of AI. And while California and Texas voters are often treated as opposites, our poll shows Latinos’ priorities transcend state borders ahead of Election Day.”
“The significant shifts in the Latino vote, particularly in Texas, during the 2024 election have proven ephemeral,” said Gary Segura Principal and Co-owner, BSP Research, LLC. “These data suggest a strong return to longstanding patterns of Latino vote preferences, which will have downstream effects on House districts in both states. The economy and uncertainty about making ends meet, has become a laser focus for this electorate.”
To view a PDF of the toplines, click here.
Methodology
A total of 1,250 California registered Latino voters and 1,250 Texas registered Latino voters were interviewed through a combination of online and telephone interviewing in English or Spanish at their discretion. The resulting data was weighted using known population characteristics from the American Community Survey and Current Population Survey. The overall margin of error was ±2.8%.
About the Latino Community Foundation
The Latino Community Foundation (LCF) is the nation’s largest network of Latino philanthropists working to unleash the civic and economic power of Latinos. LCF has raised $100 million to build lasting Latino civic and political power in California and beyond. For more info, please visit: latinocf.org.
About BSP Research
BSP Research is a Latino-owned polling, research and analytics firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and directed by four PhD-holding political scientists. For more info, please visit: bspresearch.com.
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