Undecided Central Florida Puerto Ricans could sway election, officials say

Hispanics make up majority of vote in Osceola County

OSCEOLA CO., Fla. – The growing population of Puerto Ricans in Florida could help decide the next U.S. president on Nov. 8, and many of them are in Central Florida -- specifically Osceola County.

Sitting with her friend, among the quiet chatter inside Kissimmee's Melao Bakery, Ilyssa Rosado proudly wears her "I Voted" sticker.

"I voted for Hillary Clinton," she said to News 6.

Rosado is one of nearly 90,000 Hispanics registered to vote in Osceola County. That makes up just more than 45 percent of the overall vote.

"I think that is massively important," Rosado said. "There are so many of us and to not only have such a huge presence, but to be in a state where it can go either way, it is important for us to stick together and vote for who we want or we feel is going to represent us."

According to Osceola County's Supervisor of Elections office, the number of Hispanics registered to vote goes up each election season with more Puerto Ricans moving here, like Roger Ortiz.

"Puerto Rico was really bad, a lot of crime. So, that's why we moved here," Ortiz said.

Unlike many of the Puerto Ricans in Osceola County, who usually vote Democratic, Ortiz is undecided. 

"I'm watching the news to see who I should vote for," he said. "I'm still waiting."

The indecision among Hispanics means that there is still hope for the Republicans in Florida.

Osceola County has the highest number of independents in the state, supervisor of elections Mary Jane Arrington told News 6.

"Our largest party is Democratic as far as registration and our second largest party is No Party Affiliation," Arrington said. ​"If you are campaigning, they are up for grabs."

This could by why both presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have stopped in Osceola County, holding rallies around the corner from the Melao Bakery at the Osceola Heritage Park.

The bakery is where President Barack Obama will be for a last-minute stump speech on Sunday night, hoping to poach the Puerto Rican vote because Arrington said they could decide it all. 

"I don't think you can win an election without it," Arrington said.


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