The newly registered Latino voters were predominantly young and were not newly naturalized citizens, the poll found.

However, by the next presidential election there could be many more naturalized Latino citizens voting, said Armando Solorzano, associate professor of family and consumer studies at the University of Utah.

Only about half the nation's Latinos are U.S. citizens, Solorzano said, but many are permanent residents who will be eligible to apply for naturalization before 2008.

The latest census estimate suggests the 229,400 Latinos in Utah comprise about 10 percent of the state's population.

Hispanic/Latino, the largest minority group identified, comprised only 3 percent of the voters, followed by Native American at 2.4 percent, in the BYU poll which, so far, includes about 4,600 voters. The other racial groups counted — Asian, black/African American, Pacific Islander and other — each comprised about 1 percent or less of the voters, according to the poll.

Monson said there was a slight increase in minority voting this presidential election. About 91.5 percent of voters were white this year, compared to 93 percent in the 2000 exit poll, he said.

"The changes are so small, I wouldn't make a big deal out of a 1 percentage point jump," Monson said.

Solorzano said both parties will have to vie for Latino votes since they tend to vote on issues, not party line. Important issues include immigration policy and family values.

"Republicans portray themselves as defenders of family," Solorzano said. "The most important value for all Latinos is the family."

Tony Yapias, director of the Utah Office of Hispanic Affairs, said turnout among Latino voters is increasing, and candidates are starting to pay attention.

"So much attention was paid to our community this year that there hasn't been before," he said.

And in Utah, two Hispanics were elected to the state Legislature: Ross Romero and Mark Wheatley.

"We have directly now two people in the Legislature who know where we're coming from," Yapias said. "They are going to give us a greater voice."

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