Univision Gets in the Business of Citizenhsip

According to to the Wall Street Journal, Univision has recently launched a citizenship campaign in key electoral states across the nation. The goal is to booster Hispanic participation in the upcoming 2008 elections. In 2004 47% of eligible Hispanic voters voted, compared to 67% of non-Hispanic white and 60% of African-Americans.

More than eight million green-card holders -- that is, legal permanent residents -- are eligible to become U.S. citizens, and the majority are immigrants of Latin American origin, according to U.S. government data. Now, Univision Communications Inc. is using its considerable clout with the Spanish-speaking community in the U.S. to turn this latent voting bloc into an active and potentially potent force.

The campaign could significantly effect the outcomes of many states and the political parties.

For instance, in the 2006 congressional contest, Republican candidates who take a harder line on illegal immigrants than their rivals garnered only 31% of the Latino vote.