FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Daniela Naranjo, [email protected]
DDIA Releases New Foundational Poll on U.S. Latinos and Online Harms
Washington, D.C. — February 5 — The Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas (DDIA) has released its second foundational poll examining how Latino communities in the U.S. engaged with false and misleading claims and narratives leading up to the 2024 elections. The 3,000-person survey, conducted in partnership with YouGov in September 2024, explores:
Familiarity and belief in misinformation, conspiracies and political claims;
Levels of trust in election and democracy stakeholders;
Sentiments on immigration; and
Views on generative AI technologies and regulation.
TAKEAWAYS
Narratives
The most accepted false and misleading narratives among exposed Latinos related to corporations controlling politics, elites censoring the truth, there being a "leftist agenda" in schools, the Deep State, and election fraud.
Overall, 66% of Latinos either rejected false claims outright or expressed doubt about them - skepticism and uncertainty are high.
Trust in Institutions and Electoral Authorities
Latinos' trust in electoral and democracy-related officials stakeholders is strongly correlated with partisanship.
45% of Latino voters trusted Democrats to "do the right thing" on Election Day
31% of Latino voters trusted Republicans to "do the right thing" on Election Day
Secretaries of State: 44% (up from 41%).
Election Administrators: 47% (up from 43%).
For Latino Democrats
Most trusted: Scientists, journalists, fact-checkers, and other Democrats.
Least trusted: Fox News, social media, the Supreme Court, and Republicans.
For Latino Republicans
Most trusted: Scientists, the Supreme Court, religious leaders, and other Republicans.
Least trusted: CNN, MSNBC, journalists, and activists.
Immigration Perceptions
Latinos hold nuanced and sometimes contradictory views on immigration:
63.5% agree that "immigrants improve America by bringing new ideas and cultures."
63.9% agree that “Immigrants positively contribute to American communities.”
47.1% believe that "Increased illegal immigration brings increased crime."
43.7% agree that “Immigrants can be a drain on local resources.”
Artificial Intelligence
Latino attitudes toward AI are mixed, reflecting both optimism and concern:
20% of Latinos reported using ChatGPT on a regular basis.
66% agree that AI will "take jobs away from ordinary people."
69% support increased government regulation of AI to prevent potential risks.
For the full analysis, visit: On Disinformation, Distrust, and Democracy 2.0 – Findings from DDIA’s Second Poll of U.S. Latinos in 2024
For additional resources about this poll, check out:
About DDIA
The Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas (DDIA) is bringing together insights and actors across the Western Hemisphere to shape a more participatory, inclusive, and resilient digital democracy. DDIA applies research at the intersection of information integrity, belief, and behavior to build trust, connection, and capacity with Latino communities and to shape policy interventions that bridge-build and depolarize shared information spaces for healthier democracies in the Americas.