The Dynamic Latino Vote (with Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes)

The “Latino vote” may be decisive in the upcoming election. A diverse and complex group, it continues to defy easy categorization. Political preferences vary influenced by age, geography, religion, and family background. And a series of obstacles and threats could limit Latino political power – especially amid the unfolding crackdown by ICE. 

This week, Michael Waldman speaks with Adrian Fontes, Arizona’s first Latino secretary of state, about the work he’s doing to ensure safe and secure elections in a state that has been a high-profile target of election deniers. Then, we hear from Pew Research’s Mark Hugo Lopez and Brennan en español’s Kira Romero-Craft about the diversity of Latino voters and the challenges of reaching full civic participation.

This episode is dedicated to our beloved colleague Mireya “Mia” Navarro, who recently passed. She was the trailblazing editor in chief of Brennan en español, our media operation that connects crucial information about democracy to Spanish-speaking communities. She is remembered by her colleagues for her brilliance, friendship, leadership, and legendarily sharp wit. 

You can check out Brennan en español here: https://www.brennancenter.org/es 

Recorded on October 6, 2026. The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to repair, revitalize, and defend our systems of democracy and justice so that they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office.