Every election cycle, the importance of voting is at the forefront of many conversations. Whether conversing in the barbershop or spilling tea at game night – the U.S. presidential election is always a relevant discussion topic. As the talks become more nuanced, one thing that rises to the top is the significant support and power of the Black community in these elections.
How are they going to vote? What can politicians say to best represent the interests of the Black community? The list of considerations is endless, and that is likely because many view Black people as a monolith. That idea couldn’t be further from the truth. Just look at those who vote against their interests and the interests of the community. Many of them consider themselves Trump supporters, who are ideally different from those who identify as Republicans.
But this isn’t about the skin folk who suffer from cognitive dissonance. Diversity exists among racial groups, so creating blanket talking points and policy suggestions isn’t a winning strategy. However, understanding the realities, challenges, and opportunities that disproportionately impact the Black community is worth exploring, and it is a crucial reason why the Black vote is powerful and highly sought after.
It all began in 1868 with the establishment of the 14th Amendment, which granted citizenship rights to formerly enslaved people. This advancement in humanity did not, however, grant Black people the ability to vote in elections. This wouldn’t change until two years later, in 1870, with the 15th Amendment, which states:
“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude.”
It wasn’t until 1919 that Congress passed the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote and allowed all Black people of legal age to participate in “free elections.”
The amendments were constitutional victories, but like many systemic woes in America, they did not come without prejudices and opposition. Although the federal laws granted access to voting for all people, states and local municipalities made it hard or virtually impossible for Black Americans to actually participate in the voting process through discriminatory practices like poll taxes and literacy tests.
Through the vigor of the Civil Rights Movement, the 1965 Voting Rights Act banned the use of literacy tests and other tactics that states had employed to prevent Black people from voting. According to The Library of Congress, only about 23% of Black adults of voting age were registered nationwide before the act, but by 1969, that figure had risen to 61%.
While the climate around voting has improved, challenges still exist through tactics like redrawing district lines and changing identification requirements. Nevertheless, Pew Research shows that by November 2024, the number of eligible Black voters in the United States is expected to reach 34.4 million, following several years of gradual growth.
What does this mean in context? A Brookings report states that over 85% of Black voters previously chose a Democratic candidate in national, state and local elections – making the group a critical voting bloc for Democratic candidates. Although Black people are not a monolith, it does lean heavily in the direction of the previously mentioned point. There are universal interests, although filled with nuance, that are important to the Black community. And that overwhelming majority in voting power has the strength to move the needle in many cases.
It was evident in the 2020 election when 92% of Black voters supported Joe Biden for president. Will that power translate today for the federal democratic ticket of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz? The range of perspectives and a growing number of people indifferent about politics could make this current election a definite case study about the trend, displaying a possible shift in voting power among Black Americans.
It is no secret that Harris is experiencing a swell of support that many did not see coming, considering her ratings as Vice President. Much of this support is coming from the Black community. Is it solely because she is a Black woman? That would be insulting to suggest. However, it is not lost upon anyone that Harris is positioned differently as a stand-alone candidate, not having to play number two in an administration. It is also not a lost fact that representation matters.
When Barack Obama ran for president in 2008, many critics showed their racist slips alluding that he was a DEI candidate before the term was popular. No, just like Harris, Obama was qualified, but one can’t ignore the possible historical impact of a candidate’s identity coupled with the facts of their resume. Therefore, the prudence is going to the polls and voting for someone who can represent you in the Oval Office and at the cookout.
Listen, no politician is perfect, and your choice, if made public, can and will be critiqued. But guess what? It’s just that – your choice. The Black vote is powerful. We’re talking Avengers: Endgame powerful, okay? As the 2024 election cycle heightens, now is the time for Black Americans to lean deeply into their voting power.
This moment goes beyond traditional politics and all the rhetoric across conventional and social media. The power of the Black vote can shape the future of democracy, impacting social standing, fundamental human rights and the viability of future generations.
