Evaluation of 284 congressional districts highlights immigrants’ function in shaping shut races
April 16, Washington DC — A brand new evaluation from the American Immigration Council finds that hundreds of thousands of immigrant voters who’re U.S. residents are a central a part of the citizens throughout 284 congressional districts the place elections will happen this yr.
The evaluation on voting information displays eligible and registered voters solely. Beneath federal legislation, solely U.S. residents can vote in federal elections.
Drawing on the most recent accessible information from the 2024 American Neighborhood Survey, the evaluation reveals that immigrants account for practically one in 5 residents throughout the districts studied. They play a major function within the workforce, tax base, and native economies that form voters’ priorities.
Key findings embody:
- U.S. residents who’re immigrants are poised to play a key function in shut elections. There are an estimated 16 million registered immigrant voters (that’s, naturalized U.S. residents eligible and registered to vote) throughout the districts analyzed. In 44 % of those districts (126 of 284), the variety of eligible immigrant voters exceeds the margin of victory within the 2024 elections.
- For instance, in Florida’s twenty fifth congressional district there are an estimated 135,500 immigrant voters. The district flipped from GOP to Democratic management in 2022 and the Democrats received once more in 2024 by a slim margin of victory of 30,700 votes.
- In New Jersey’s ninth district, Democrats received by simply over 12,600 votes in 2024. There are practically 165,000 immigrants there who’re U.S. residents age 18 and above and thus eligible to vote.
- Language and outreach matter. On common, 83.1 % of immigrants communicate a language aside from English at house, highlighting the significance of outreach that displays the range of communities in these districts.
- Immigrants are a significant a part of native communities. On common, immigrants make up practically 20 % of residents throughout the 284 districts analyzed, and in some districts, they signify greater than half of the inhabitants.
“Immigrant voters who’re U.S. residents are a significant a part of the citizens in lots of communities, particularly in shut races,” mentioned Nan Wu, director of analysis on the American Immigration Council. “Like different voters, they care about jobs, housing, and the economic system, and they’re deeply embedded within the communities they assist maintain.”
The evaluation additionally underscores that immigrants’ affect extends past elections. Throughout the districts studied, immigrants assist drive financial development, assist key industries, and form the problems that dominate elections, from inflation and housing to workforce shortages.
Taken collectively, the findings present that immigrants aren’t a distinct segment inhabitants, however a core a part of the communities, economies, and citizens that outline many congressional districts.
