The countdown has begun. With less than one hundred days until the November 3rd elections, the United States is entering that stage where politics ceases to be background noise and begins to be felt in our wallets, at the family dinner table, and in our work conversations.
It won’t be a presidential election, but rather a referendum on the direction of the country.
Control of Congress, state governments, and thousands of local positions will be at stake. Also at stake is President Donald Trump’s ability to maintain political support during the second half of his term.
The problem for the White House is clear: Trump enters this final stretch with very weak numbers.
An Economist/YouGov poll conducted between July 17th and 20th placed his approval rating at 40%, compared to a 58% disapproval rating.
The dissatisfaction extends to his handling of immigration, the war with Iran, the use of presidential power, and the general perception that the country is headed in the wrong direction.
But the deepest erosion of support stems from the economy, because there, public opinion isn’t based on speeches: it’s based on grocery bills, rent, mortgage payments, and gas prices.
Annual inflation was 3.5% in June. Food prices rose 3%, and gasoline prices increased 26.7% compared to the previous year.
These percentages translate into less disposable income and more anxiety for millions of families.
And when the majority feels their economic situation is worsening, the party in power foots the bill.
And this is where the Latino vote comes in.
With approximately 36.2 million Latinos eligible to vote in 2024, according to figures from the Pew Research Center, Latinos represent about 15% of the national electorate and can be decisive in close races.
But demographic power is of little use if it doesn’t translate into participation.
It’s not enough for parties to talk about us during the campaign, buy ads in Spanish, and promise to listen to our priorities.
Influence is exercised by registering to vote, verifying that the voter registration information is correct, knowing the deadlines, and voting.
November 3rd won’t just decide who controls Washington. It will also decide who will speak for our communities on wages, healthcare, education, immigration, housing, and safety.
There’s still enough time to get informed and organize, but far too little to continue believing that politics is someone else’s business. Democracy doesn’t reward those who only complain: it listens to those who participate.
