While U.S. voter turnout declined, Latino voter turnout increased.  With 97% of precincts reporting, an estimated 119 million Americans turned out to vote.  It is highly unlikely that, even after all votes are counted, the total voter turnout will equal or exceed the 131 million votes cast in 2008. 

Given the smaller pool of voters (119 million), the percent of all votes cast by Latinos (9.2%) was even greater than expected, thus making our turnout even more significant nationally and in key states.

Latinos weighed in heavily in California, New York, and Texas, and most importantly in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Virginia, Maryland, Florida, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, and Oregon.  Latino voters scored big in all 17 states.

Latinos in Texas turned out to send Ted Cruz to the U.S. Senate and Joaquin Castro, Pete Gallego, and Filemon Vega to the U.S. House all for the first time.

Latinos in California elected Raul Ruiz, Tony Cardenas, Gloria Negrete McLeod, and Juan Vargas to the U.S. House all for the first time.

And, in New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham was also elected to the U.S. House for the first time.

Countless more Latinos further down on the ballot also won their elections to state legislatures, county boards, and other local and county offices including Anita Alvarez, who as Cook County (IL) State's Attorney is the highest ranking Latina in the nation in law enforcement.

Overall Latinos were the big winners in the November 6 election.  We will have more Latinos representing us at all levels of government than ever before, including 31 in Congress.

With regard to a profile of the Latino vote (according to CBS News data):

• An estimated 71% of Latinos voted for Barack Obama, which enabled him to win the popular vote as well as the electoral vote.  Mitt Romney received 27% of the Latino vote.
• All age groups voted for Obama - 91% of Latinos 18-29 years of age; 94% of Latinos 30-44; 93% of Latinos 45-64; and 93% of Latinos 65 and older.
• Approximately 76% of Latina women and 65% of Latino men voted for Obama.

According to Pew Hispanic Center:

• 62% of Hispanic voters with college degrees voted for Obama; 35% for Romney
• 75% of Hispanic voters without college degrees voted for Obama; 24% for Romney
• 82% of Hispanic voters earning less than $50,000 per year voted for Obama; 17% for Romney
• 59%  of Hispanic voters earning more than $50,000 per year voted for Obama; 39% for Romney

More details later.