With the primaries in full swing and this year’s presidential election on the line, The Black Vote is a much-coveted prize. Specifically, in the Democratic party, Black voters will be instrumental in deciding who the nominee will be. Pundits and professionals alike have been forecasting which candidate will ultimately be the victor of Black support.
Today, personal finance website WalletHub released a report detailing the states where Black voters are most engaged using a mix of factors including voter registration, turnout, representation, etc.
Using data from the most recent midterm and presidential elections, the report details metrics “WalletHub compared 49 states across six key metrics that speak to the level of black political engagement. Our data set includes black voter turnout and registration during the most recent presidential and midterm elections as well as the proportional representation of blacks in the state legislature and national party conventions.”
Findings include: Minnesota is the state where Black voters are most politically engaged and South Dakota is the state where Black people are least politically engaged; 23 states have NO Black representatives; and Black people are more politically engaged in blue states than in red ones.
Florida – which has often been the center of controversy for voting disenfranchisement among Black residents and a deciding state in elections – is ranked 21 overall. Other Florida rankings include:
- 38th – Black Voter Turnout (2016 Presidential Election)
- 29th – Black Voter Turnout (2018 Midterm Elections)
- 44th – Black Voter Registration (2016 Presidential Election)
- 31st – Black Voter Registration (2018 Midterm Elections)
- 19th – Proportional Representation of Blacks in State Legislature
- 1st – Proportional Representation of Blacks in National Party Conventions
These numbers may change during this year’s elections. According to a national survey of 1,200 Black Americans in November 2019. Conducted by Third Way, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and GBAO Strategies, results showed more Black Americans are interested in voting in this election than the prior one.
As National Public Radio stated via The State, “The Democratic Party is diverse, and no one can likely win the nomination without strong support from black and brown voters.”
For WalletHub’s full results, click here.
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