By Zita Toth

Since its inception, the United States has been a country of immigrants. Today is no different.

As the Hispanic population in the United States increases, so does its influence on politics and policy. And as the population grows, so do the number of its voters. For extensive information, including statistics and graphics, be sure to flip through your June copy of State Legislatures.

The Hispanic and Latino demographic varies from state to state. California, New Mexico and Texas have the largest portion of Hispanics, while Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee are experiencing the fastest growth rates. These shifts are represented in election results, too.

Latino voters in the swing states of Colorado, Florida, Nevada, North Carolina and Virginia helped shape the outcome of the 2012 presidential election. Hispanic voters in those states voted 71 percent for President Obama and 27 percent for Mitt Romney, according to the Pew Research Center on Hispanic Trends. Most recently in 2014, Latinos made measureable gains in the nation’s state legislatures.

What does the future have in store? As young Latinos reach voting age, they will become a sizeable voting bloc in the coming years, even if the influence of Hispanic voters is growing incrementally, not exponentially, according to Rodolfo de la Garza, a professor at Columbia University. For more coverage and a host of other state policy news, check out State Legislatures this month.

Zita Toth is an intern in NCSL's publications program.