The Latino vote represented 10 percent of the nationwide 2012 electorate, a tick up from 9 percent in 2008, but it moved up even more in some key swing states: Florida, Colorado and Nevada. From their report:
Obama carried Florida’s Hispanic vote 60% to 39%, an improvement over his 57% to 42% showing in 2008. Also, Hispanics made up 17% of the Florida electorate this year, up from 14% in 2008.
The state’s growing non-Cuban population—especially growth in the Puerto Rican population in central Florida—contributed to the President’s improved showing among Hispanic voters. This year, according to the Florida exit poll, 34% of Hispanic voters were Cuban while 57% were non-Cuban. Among Cuban voters, the vote was split—49% supported Obama while 47% supported Romney. Among the state’s non-Cuban voters, Obama won 66% versus 34% for Romney.
Check out the historical data for Latino voters in key battlegrounds complied by the Pew Hispanic Center:
