OPINIONES LATINAS: HISPANIC VOTE FOR PRESIDENT "HISTORICALLY CLOSE"

October 5, 2004

Contact: Martha Lozada, 202.546.0008

NATIONAL MEDIA RELEASE

Washington, D.C. — Opiniones Latinas client The Latino Coalition released yesterday the results of its Annual National Hispanic Survey. This is the fourth consecutive year Opiniones Latinas, an affiliate company of McLaughlin & Associates, has conducted this study for the Coalition. The survey of 1,000 Latino adults was conducted between September 27-October 3, 2004, in both English and Spanish.

"The findings of our national poll for the Latino Coalition clearly shows that registration and interest in the election is increasing among Latino voters," said John McLaughlin, a partner at Latino Opinions. "There will be a record level of participation in the election by Latino-Americans, and right now the presidential race among Latinos is very competitive. It is much closer than the 2000 election, when Al Gore beat then-Governor Bush 62% to 35% among Latinos."

Robert Deposada, president of the Latino Coalition, characterized the Hispanic vote in a TLC media release as "up for grabs this fall, particularly in the presidential election. Kerry's lead among Hispanic registered voters is only nine points (47%-38%). At this stage in the game, the Democratic presidential candidate should have been ahead with a two-to-one lead and securing around 60% of the Hispanic vote. This is a serious problem for Senator John Kerry, if he is to carry key swing states with large Hispanic populations like New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and Florida."

You may see more detailed survey results by clicking on the following links to a survey topline and slideshow presentation, both viewable in Adobe Acrobat Reader (available for free download), at the Web site of the Latino Coalition (posted with the offical TLC media release) at www.TheLatinoCoalition.com.

Methodology

This national Hispanic survey was conducted by Opiniones Latinas between September 27-October 3, 2004, among 1,000 Hispanic adults. All interviews were conducted by professional English- and Spanish-speaking interviewers via telephone. Respondents were given the option of conducting the survey in English or Spanish. Interview selection was at random within predetermined population units. These units were structured to correlate statistically with the nation's adult Hispanic population according to the 2000 U.S. Census. The accuracy of this national survey of 1,000 Hispanic adults is within ±3.1%, at a 95% confidence interval.

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