Summary:
Democrats are becoming increasingly concerned about a possible drop in Black voter turnout for the 2024 presidential election, according to party insiders. The worries arise from a 10% decrease in Black voter turnout in the 2022 midterms compared to 2018, a more substantial decline than any other racial or ethnic group, as per a Washington Post analysis. The decline was particularly significant among younger and male Black voters in crucial states like Georgia, where Democrats aim to mobilize Black voter support for President Biden in 2024.
The Democratic party has acknowledged the need to bolster their outreach efforts to this demographic. W. Mondale Robinson, founder of the Black Male Voter Project, highlighted the need for Democrats to refocus their attention on Black male voters, who have shown lower levels of engagement. In response, Biden’s team has pledged to communicate more effectively about the benefits that the Black community has reaped under Biden’s administration, according to Cedric L. Richmond, a senior advisor at the Democratic National Committee.
However, Black voter advocates have identified deep-seated issues affecting Black voter turnout. Many Black men reportedly feel detached from the political process and uninspired by both parties’ policies. Terrance Woodbury, CEO of HIT Strategies, a polling firm, suggests that the Democratic party’s focus on countering Trump and Republican extremism doesn’t motivate younger Black men as much as arguments focused on policy benefits. Concerns are growing within the party that if they fail to address these issues, disenchanted Black voters might either abstain or, potentially, be swayed by Republican messaging on certain key issues.
Black Democratic voters in 2020:
"On the one hand we have Bernie Sanders, who literally got arrested at sit-in fighting for Black people’s civil rights. He’s been out front on our side of essentially every political issue for his entire career.
"On the other hand we have Joe Biden who has a problematic history of voting on the wrong side of civil rights during the bussing controversy, and has eventually evolved into a follower, rather than a leader on civil rights issues.
“Ah what the hell, let’s give it to Biden!”
Black Democratic voters now:
"Well, our choice is between Biden, who is doing … Okay. Or Trump, who is famously a bigot, who practiced segregation in his own apartment buildings, and who has a history of soft acceptance of literal neo-nazis.
“… I guess we should just sit this one out.”
He was supposed to do a single term. Surely he’s not the best we can do.
I’ll still be here for Dems you silly goose.
Young black guy here (mid 20s), I’ll be voting for Biden. Recently changed my party affiliation from Independent to Democrat.
I was told that Biden was the more electable candidate. If this was the case this shouldn’t be an issue right?
