For the first time since immigration was thrust onto the forefront of the presidential contest, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, is scheduled to address Latino leaders and is expected to push an economy-focused message.

Romney on Thursday is addressing the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. President Barack Obama will speak to the same group Friday.

Romney has struggled in recent days to clarify his immigration policy as he pivots from the harsh rhetoric that defined the monthslong GOP primary to a general election audience in which Latinos will play a critical role.

The stakes are high not only for states with larger Hispanic populations such as Florida, Nevada and Colorado, but for a growing number of other battlegrounds — Ohio, North Carolina and Virginia, among them — where even a modest shift among Latino voters could be significant.

At least one in six Americans is of Hispanic descent, according to the Census Bureau.

“We’re talking about a significant share of the American electorate that could well decide this election,” said Arturo Vargas, executive director of the Latino association. “It’s only now that both candidates are turning their attention to the Latino vote.”

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