In Virginia and at the national level, the Latino community is shifting the political landscape and holding increasing political influence on the campaign trail. Since 2000 Virginia has seen a 92 percent increase in its Latino population, growing from 4.7 percent to 8.2 percent. And in a key swing state in the upcoming election, Latinos in Virginia are flexing their political muscle. Since 2000 Latino voter participation in the state has gone up between 1 percent and 3 percent every election cycle.

Let’s take a look at the reasons behind the impact of the Latino population in Virginia:

Vanessa Cárdenas is Director of Progress 2050 at the Center for American Progress. Sophia Kerby is a Special Assistant with Progress 2050.