A poll of Latino voters released on Thursday found they are less excited to vote in 2016 than they were in the 2012 elections, even though Latino turnout may prove crucial to Democratic chances of winning swing states this November.

The poll, of registered Hispanic voters in battleground states, conducted by Latino Decisions for Latino Victory Project, found that 36 percent of respondents were more enthusiastic about voting in 2016, while 46 percent said they'd been more eager to participate in 2012.

Although there are estimated to be 27 million eligible Latino voters, Hispanics have traditionally been unwilling to participate in elections. In 2012, only 11.2 million Hispanics voted and just more than 13 million are expected to vote in 2016, according to the National Association of Latino Elected Officials.

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Democrats in 2016 expect Hispanics to vote in greater numbers, reacting to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE's aggressive rhetoric on immigration and Hispanics.

Trump began his campaign proposing to build a wall on the border with Mexico and calling Mexican immigrants "rapists" who "bring crime." In June, Trump argued that Indiana-born federal judge Gonzalo Curiel was unable to be objective in a case involving Trump University because of his Mexican heritage.

Also in June, the Supreme Court ruled in a case involving President Barack Obama Barack Hussein ObamaDemocratic Senate campaign arm outraises GOP by M in August A federal court may have declared immigration arrests unconstitutional Blunt says vote on Trump court nominee different than 2016 because White House, Senate in 'political agreement' MORE's executive actions on immigration. With a 4-4 tie, it sent the case back to lower courts, but effectively suspended expanded deferred action for childhood arrivals and parents of Americans.

After that decision, Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.) told The Hill that if that decision didn't get Latinos out to vote, "I don't know what will."

While the poll's numbers reflect consistent trends among Latino voters — emphasis on the economy, immigration and the environment — the electorate's lack of enthusiasm despite opposition to Trump could stem from the bloc's relative reluctance to support Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Democratic super PAC to hit Trump in battleground states over coronavirus deaths Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight MORE.

While 75 percent of respondents said they have a favorable impression of President Obama, only 62 percent said the same of Clinton. Very few voters had no opinion of either politician; only 23 percent had an unfavorable opinion of Obama, and 36 percent of Clinton.

Trump's numbers in this respect were consistent with earlier polls, with a 20 percent favorable rating and 78 percent of registered Hispanic voters reporting an unfavorable opinion.