An opinion piece argues that Hispanic voters remain a genuinely up-for-grabs electorate heading into the 2026 US midterms, rather than being reliably loyal to either party. The author cites polling from competitive congressional districts showing more than half of Hispanic voters are undecided or open to switching their vote, warning that candidates who rely on assumptions about this group risk losing their support.

The piece notes there were a record 36.2 million eligible Hispanic voters in 2024, with cost of living cited as a top concern by nine in ten surveyed in battleground districts, 73% saying they are surviving rather than getting ahead, and 80% helping support family outside their household. A Univision survey in Texas found strong voter engagement but also found 69% felt candidates paid too little attention to Hispanic community concerns, while 71% said Spanish-language communication from candidates was important, with 56% saying it would make them view a candidate more favourably.