James Butler, a 42-year-old Black Democrat in Atlanta, plans to vote for President Biden in the upcoming election, but his enthusiasm is lacking this time around. A CBS News poll showed a decrease in support for Biden among Black voters in Georgia, from 87% in 2020 to 76% now. Black voters were a crucial part of Biden’s victory in Georgia in 2020, and the Biden-Harris campaign seems to be focusing on maintaining their support, especially among younger Black men who have been slower to return to Biden’s side.
Organizers with the New Georgia Project believe misinformation is contributing to the waning interest in Biden among some Black men, with narratives online misplacing credit and blame for political outcomes. While some supporters of Biden may be less enthusiastic for a 2020 rematch, Republicans are attempting to attract Black men away from Biden’s base. Despite a lack of national resources, local ancillary groups like the Georgia Black Republican Council are working on outreach efforts to court Black voters, including mentorship programs and community events to engage Black men in considering voting for Republicans in November.
The Black Conservative Federation has rolled out a 2024 get out the vote policy plan called “Black Men Matter,” targeting Black men in battleground states through grassroots outreach and programming. Democrats are skeptical of Republican efforts to court Black voters, with some voters questioning the sincerity of the Republican Party’s outreach in Black communities. While some Black voters may be less enthusiastic about supporting Biden this time around, they are also wary of switching their support to Republicans who they feel have not historically made a genuine effort to engage with Black voters.
Vice President Kamala Harris has kicked off a multistate tour in Atlanta to discuss investments in Black communities and opportunities for minority families under the Biden administration. Younger Black men are showing some unwillingness to return to supporting Biden, with about 30% undecided in polls. Misinformation online is a key factor in this trend, with false narratives circulating about political outcomes and administrations. Some Black voters may feel disillusioned with the political process overall, leading to a lack of enthusiasm for voting in the upcoming election.
Overall, Black voters in Georgia, like James Butler, are expressing varying levels of enthusiasm for supporting President Biden in the upcoming election. While Biden still has a significant level of support among Black voters, efforts from both the Democratic and Republican parties to engage with this demographic are ongoing. Misinformation and a lack of genuine engagement from political parties may be contributing to some Black voters’ wavering support for Biden. The outcome of the upcoming election will likely depend on how successful these outreach efforts are in engaging Black voters and addressing their concerns and priorities.
