The New Immigrant Vote

"Before major elections, there is typically an increase in the number of naturalization applications, and this year is no exception.  Martín Martinez, a salesman from Mexico, became a citizen in May.  “One of the main reasons was to be able to vote, [to] get my opinion to the United States,” Martinez said after his naturalization ceremony.  Immigrant voters gave President Barack Obama a boost in the last race. So while they're still a small share of the electorate, which way these voters go this year could matter, particularly in swing states like Nevada." - Jude Joffe-Block, June 20, 2012.  [This story was produced with support from the Institute for Justice and Journalism.]