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Politicians need to mobilize Black male voters ahead of midterms, experts say : NPR


Signs indicate the location of an early voting polling place at Frank McCourt High School on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City on Tuesday, November 1, 2022.

Ted Shaffrey / AP


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Signs indicate the location of an early voting polling place at Frank McCourt High School on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City on Tuesday, November 1, 2022.

Ted Shaffrey / AP

Only one day left before voting closes in this year’s midterm elections, the latest election Poll by NPR-PBS NewsHour-Marist shows some warning signs for Democrats – particularly regarding who is more likely to vote in this year’s race.

Combining factors including age, race, income and gender, the survey found that Black voters were among the least enthusiastic about midterm voting. And Black voters have, historically, voted for the Democratic Party by a higher margin, with Black women being among the most trusted voters in the party.

However, as with any voting block, there are still many different opinions, ideologies, and important issues among Black voters.

“At the end of the day, it really comes down to choice [of] abortion rights … as well as the right to vote,” said Al Heartley, of Smyrna, Ga.

Heartley told NPR that he is voting for Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams in the state’s closely watched race for governor, in addition to Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock for the US Senate.

However, he said his experiences as a black man in America will have implications for politicians.

“Black men have a voice and an opinion,” says Heartley. “You have to acknowledge my position as a Negro. To me, that’s what Warnock and Abrams really do.”

For voters like Donnell Brunson of Fairness Hills, Pa., relativity is important when voting for politicians.

Pedestrians cross an intersection in Downtown Philadelphia on Friday, October 21, 2022.

Kriston Jae Bethel for NPR


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Kriston Jae Bethel for NPR

Brunson told NPR: “Fetterman is like an everyday guy. I like my politicians more than ‘the people’.”

Even though he’s supporting Democrat John Fetterman in the race for the United States Senate on the Republican nomination, Dr. Mehmet OzBrunson says he doesn’t feel like politicians around the country understand what it takes to win support from more Black men.

“It’s clear to me that they don’t have minorities or people of color in their inner circle advising them,” says Brunson. “They’re assuming what we want.” “And we want the same things that other voters want: jobs, the economy, education.”

Talib Abdul Mujib, 1617 barber shop owner, styled a customer’s hair in Philadelphia’s North Philadelphia neighborhood on Friday, October 21, 2022. Mujib told NPR he has no plans to vote in the election. bigger races – because he feels like though politicians don’t take the opinions of Black voters seriously.

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Kriston Jae Bethel / Kriston Jae Bethel


Talib Abdul Mujib, 1617 barber shop owner, styled a customer’s hair in Philadelphia’s North Philadelphia neighborhood on Friday, October 21, 2022. Mujib told NPR he has no plans to vote in the election. bigger races – because he feels like though politicians don’t take the opinions of Black voters seriously.

Kriston Jae Bethel / Kriston Jae Bethel

The gender gap in voting isn’t exclusive to Black voters

While college-educated white women, who are an important block for Democrats, are among the most enthusiastic to vote, recent polls further show that black voters Black and Latino, apart from young voters, are among the few.

Terrance Woodbury, Managing Director of HIT . Strategya polling company that specializes in understanding young and minority voters, told NPR’s All things Considered that while there is a gender gap in voting for Black men and women, it is not particularly unique to Black voters – it is to voters of all races. .

Woodbury said: “What is unique about Black male voters is that they are Democratic voters; they support Barack Obama by a margin of more than 90%.”

“Now that we’ve seen that drop to 79% or 80%, in fact, it’s enough to make a small difference in states like Georgia, Wisconsin, and North Carolina, where they have diverse candidates. at the top of the ticket,” he added.

Candidates should work to close the enthusiasm gap, experts say

Recent data from pollsters suggests that candidates from either party should focus on key issues to close the enthusiasm gap – especially with Caucasian men. black.

Woodbury said: “While this election cycle is being defined by the Democrats, by the threat from the other side… the threat of losing democracy, it is, in reality, the Black men. Blacks are more motivated by the progress Democrats have made.

In recent poll of HIT Strategies, 73% of Black men said their lives have not improved since Biden took office last year.

However, when given a list of policies for those polled – such as Child tax creditthe executive order reform police and bipartisan infrastructure bill – Woodbury says that 90% of Black men say progress has actually improved their lives.

“It was clear to me that it seemed like we were solving a messaging problem and connecting Black men with the progress being made,” he said.

The audio story was produced by Kai McNamee and edited by Ashley Brown.

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