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So
what has been the experience of Puerto Ricans in the participatory system
of the United States. By and large, the experience of Puerto Ricans has
been similar to that of other Hispanic groups in the United States. But
Puerto Ricans also manifest characteristics that are peculiar to them.
As Maria Calvo and Steven Rosenstone have concluded in their findings,
Hispanics are less likely to participate in politics than other Americans.
Even among some Hispanic groups, such as Mexicans or Cubans, Puerto Ricans
exhibit lower levels of political involvement in certain activities. Puerto
Ricans vote less than other groups in the United States, they exhibit
lower levels of voter registration and of contacting public officials.
However, Puerto Ricans in the United States tend to become involved in
protest and community organizing activities to an equal or even larger
extent than other groups. They are also very involved in bureaucratic
politics, as in government antipoverty programs, etc.
In 1988, for example, 74% of Puerto Ricans surveyed in the Latino National
Political Survey reported having ever registered to vote compared to 90%
of "Anglos," that is, non- Hispanic whites. While the rate of
registration to vote in 1989 and 1990 was 64% to 78% respectively. Turnout
rates reported for the 1988 presidential elections were 50% Puerto Ricans
and 70% for Anglos. Levels of contacting government officials stood at
22% for Puerto Ricans, 33% for Anglos. This again is according to Latino
National Political Survey.
Similar patterns of political behavior of Puerto Ricans in the United
States have been found in later studies, providing evidence that previously
established patterns of behavior such as limited electoral involvement
continue. Falcon and Henson report results somewhat similar to those of
de la Garza for the 1992 general elections and the 1993 local elections
in New York City. The turnout rates in districts where the majority of
the population is Puerto Rican, was respectively 45% and 37% for 1992
in a presidential election and the 1993 off-year election. This data provides
us almost exclusively with information of electoral participation. But
while voting tends to be the focus of much analysis, it is not the only
mode of participation available, particularly for an aggregate interest.
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