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Latino voters react to Trump vs. Harris presidential matchup

Latino civil rights and advocacy group says the new race has the power to change the conversation around the 2024 election.

SAN DIEGO — With the election 100 days away, a Latino civil rights and advocacy group says the new presidential matchup has the power to change the conversation around the election. 

Unidos US believe it will shift focus from the age of the candidates and look deeper into their stance on important issues.

"People are feeling the change. I think the opportunity and challenge for Ms. Harris's campaign is to capitalize on that energy," said Clarissa Martinez, vice president of the Latino vote initiative at UnidosUS.

Martinez says policies related to immigration will be top of mind this election.

"Their top priority in immigration is finding a path to legality for the long residing undocumented immigrants that have lived here for one, two three decades and are working and contributing to our country," she said.

Latinos make up a young population of voters and this year many will be voting in a presidential election for the first time.

"Even in states like Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, North Carolina where the Latino community is smaller, the margins of victory are so small that Latinos are part of the decision making," she said.

She says it's projected more than 17.5 million Latinos will vote this year. About 1 out of 5 will be voting in their first presidential election. She encourages you to register to vote and be part of this historic election.

"If you're eligible and you haven't yet registered, even if you're unsure if you're going to vote or not. just do it and then you will be ready to vote by mail or on election day," she said.

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