Influence of Foreign-Language Speakers on Party Success in Presidential Elections
Advisor(s)
Patrick Kearney; Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Discipline
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Start Date
21-4-2021 10:25 AM
End Date
21-4-2021 10:40 AM
Abstract
Many factors contribute to the success of presidential candidates. Variations in racial diversity, immigrant demographics, and financial status have all been found to play a role in how any given community decides to cast their ballots. However, one factor that continues to be overlooked is the population of foreign-language speakers within a region. This study aims to find if that demographic has any significant impact on whether a county swings Democratic or Republican in elections.
In order to measure the amount of foreign-language speakers in a community, data was taken from the United States Census Bureau, measuring the percentage of individuals who speak a language other than English at home within several counties in Illinois. This was then compared against the percentage of individuals within the county who voted for Democratic or Republican candidates. A significant correlation between these two factors would indicate that either those who speak foreign languages tend to be more supportive of one party, or that the presence of foreign-language speakers influences party support for others in the same community.
Influence of Foreign-Language Speakers on Party Success in Presidential Elections
Many factors contribute to the success of presidential candidates. Variations in racial diversity, immigrant demographics, and financial status have all been found to play a role in how any given community decides to cast their ballots. However, one factor that continues to be overlooked is the population of foreign-language speakers within a region. This study aims to find if that demographic has any significant impact on whether a county swings Democratic or Republican in elections.
In order to measure the amount of foreign-language speakers in a community, data was taken from the United States Census Bureau, measuring the percentage of individuals who speak a language other than English at home within several counties in Illinois. This was then compared against the percentage of individuals within the county who voted for Democratic or Republican candidates. A significant correlation between these two factors would indicate that either those who speak foreign languages tend to be more supportive of one party, or that the presence of foreign-language speakers influences party support for others in the same community.