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2024 American Electorate Voter Poll Finds Voters of Color Heavily Concerned About Economy While Continuing Strong Support for Progressive Policies and Democratic Candidates
Poll Offers In-Depth Insights on Voters of Color Perceptions of Candidates and on the Economy, Immigration, Climate Change, and Abortion
WASHINGTON, D.C. –
Today, eleven national organizations hosted a virtual briefing to release detailed findings from the 2024 American Electorate Voter Poll, a survey of more than 9,400 voters that paints a more complete and accurate picture of how voters of color voted, including the vote choices in key states, issue priorities, evaluations of both major parties, and what issues motivated voter turnout. The poll follows more than a decade of multi-racial election voter polls and serves as a check on traditional exit polls, adding depth to our understanding of why and how Americans voted, particularly emphasizing the vote choices and motivations of Latino, Black, AAPI, and Native American voters. A detailed array of data, including crosstabs by state and race, can be found here.
Overall, the poll shows that Americans have a lot that unites them while pointing to some clear differences between voters of color and their White counterparts on candidate choices and some policy priorities and concerns.
KEY FINDINGS FROM THE 2024 AMERICAN ELECTORATE VOTER POLL
- Voters were heavily concerned about the economy this election cycle, with the cost of living, housing affordability, and jobs showing up as among the most important issues for voters of color. More than half (55%) of voters cited the cost of living and inflation as one of the top three issues they want the next Congress and Presidential Administration to address. One in four voters, including 41% of Black voters, 38% of AAPI voters, 43% of Latino voters, and 36% of Native American voters, said the economy was the primary motivation for their vote.
- A majority of voters of color supported Vice President Harris, while majorities of White men and women voters supported Donald Trump. That said, Trump made gains among almost all demographics, though the narrative about voters of color shifting support toTrump/Republicans was significantly overblown. Across the board, voters of color voted for Harris over Trump by significant margins, with 84% of Black voters, 62% of Latino voters, 61% of AAPI voters, and 57% of Native American voters supporting her in this election. Conversely, 57% of White voters supported Donald Trump.
- Abortion was once again a strong motivating factor–for women across race and ethnicity and for voters of color across gender, age, and subgroup. These voters are sending a clear message that they don’t want the government making reproductive health decisions for women and families. Three out of four voters support a federal law that guarantees access to abortion and gives women control over their own medical decisions, with even higher support among Black (84%), AAPI (75%), Latino (70%) and Native American (84%) voters.
- Voters of all races and ethnicities strongly support expanding abortion access, investing in clean energy, creating a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and protecting voting rights. More than four out of five voters support expanding clean energy investments to create more manufacturing jobs in the United States, lower energy costs, and protect families against the impacts of climate change. Almost nine in ten voters support passing a new voting rights act to ensure all eligible American citizens can vote without barriers.
- Voters reject calls to institute mass deportation and inhumane treatment of immigrants. Voters expressed strong support for legislative action to protect Dreamers and other immigrants who have lived in the US for a long time from deportation, with nearly two out of three voters (63%) expressing support for passing a law to provide permanent legal status to Dreamers and other undocumented immigrants who have lived in the country for a long time.
Henry Fernandez, CEO at African American Research Collaborative, one of the lead pollsters on this project: “We went from an election in 2020 decided by small margins in seven swing states to an election in 2024 decided by small margins in seven swing states. This election ultimately was about the cost of living. The top issue in our poll for voters of all racial, geographic, age, and gender groups was inflation, whether in housing, groceries, or health care. A majority of White people voted for Trump, and a majority of people of color, including Black people, voted for Harris, with modest movement towards Trump among people of color. A lot was made before the election about Black men moving to Trump in a big way – ultimately, we did not see that. But we do see a modest shift among young Black men towards Trump; however, fully 70% still voted for Harris.”
Jenny Lawson, Vice President of Organizing and Engagement Campaigns at Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said: “While we await the final election results, this exit polling makes the case for what we have known since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade: Voters are energized about protecting reproductive rights. Even if they might not choose abortion for themselves, they know the government has no place in our exam rooms — and they refuse to allow politicians to make that decision for anyone else. As we have said, at no point in pregnancy is a politician more qualified than a person and their health care provider to make decisions about their body, life, and future. Banning abortion and restricting access to essential care is a losing issue. Voters chose freedom. It’s time for anti-abortion rights politicians to wake up and stop attacking our rights.”
Clarissa Martinez De Castro, Vice President at Latino Vote Initiative at UnidosUS said: “The most potent driver in the election was economic discontent, expressed in Trump’s gains with most demographics. If there is a mandate, it’s on that: raise wages, bring down food, housing, and health care costs. A majority of Hispanic voters supported Harris — including men — and a supermajority rejected mass deportations and abortion restrictions. The mainstream exit polls got Hispanic candidate support wrong, and that is a recurring sampling issue. But there is dissonance between candidate choice and policy positions, with much greater support for policies supported by Democrats than for Democratic candidates. This is an area of strategic reflection for Democrats. For Republicans, the message is that many of the policies in their platform are opposed by a majority of American voters, including Latino supermajorities. Elected officials on both sides of the aisle would be wise to govern with those elements in mind, to keep or grow Latino support in future elections.”
Frankie Miranda, President and CEO at Hispanic Federation, said: “We must acknowledge the seismic shift in Latino voter turnout, particularly in Pennsylvania, pre and post the disparaging remarks at Madison Square Garden, where Puerto Rico was referred to as a ‘floating island of garbage.’ This change was driven by important but last-minute resources to mobilize Latino voters to the polls, particularly Puerto Ricans, who were angered by the belittling of our ancestral and cultural homeland. Such a shift speaks to how much our communities can push back when we are intentionally targeted – by positive or negative factors – and what we can accomplish when significant resources are allocated for outreach and mobilization of Latinos. It is my hope that candidates and elected officials can finally understand the importance of continuous culturally and linguistically competent engagement with our community and the power of the Latino vote. Our vote cannot be taken for granted any longer.”
Vanessa Cárdenas, executive director at America’s Voice, said: “Looking at this poll and all of the others we have seen, the American public opposes the Trump agenda of mass deportation, separation of families, and his promises to ‘un-document’ and deport some with current legal status, like Dreamers and TPS holders. Trump does not have a mandate for mass deportations or sending in the military to round up our immigrant neighbors. While Trump undoubtedly centered his campaign and closing argument on ugly immigration themes, including the promised ‘largest deportation operation in history,’ the American public nonetheless prefers legalization for undocumented immigrants instead of mass deportation. And here is the stubborn truth – immigrants are essential to America’s past, present, and future. Immigration is a key ingredient for our economic growth and prosperity, no matter who sits in the Oval Office.”
John C. Yang, president & executive director at Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), said: “Today’s findings from the 2024 American Electorate Voter Poll underscore the rising influence and civic engagement of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community. One in eight AANHPIs who voted in 2024 were first-time voters. Additionally, an estimated 28% of AANHPI young voters were first time voters. We’re witnessing a community whose voice is growing. What these polls show us is that the AANHPI community is speaking with clarity and conviction: we are here to build a country that reflects our values—one that protects our families, ensures our rights, rejects hate, and champions equal opportunity for all. Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC remains resolute in our mission to advance civil rights and work alongside communities of color to create a society that is just and equitable for all.”
A wide range of national organizations sponsored the poll, including the American Civil Liberties Union, America’s Voice, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, The Asian American Foundation, Climate Power, First Nations Development Institute, the Hispanic Federation, Indivisible, La Brega Y Fuerza Fund, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, RuralOrganizing.org, SEIU, Somos Votantes, UnidosUS, Voter Participation Center, and Voto Latino.
For interviews with the pollsters or key partners, contact Aquita Brown at aquita@fcgworks.com or (601) 371-8003. The follow-up events below will provide details and electoral context on each voting community’s poll findings and takeaways.
- Hispanic Voters data briefing: Tuesday, November 12 at 3:30 pm ET
- African American data briefing: Thursday, November 13 at 11:00 am ET
To view the national poll briefing, click the link: StreamYard – Watch (https://streamyard.com/b8i8bmh6k6qi).
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About the 2024 American Electorate Voter Poll
The 2024 American Electorate Voter Poll is a large-scale poll of Black, Hispanic, Asian American, Native American, and White voters nationally and in key states and congressional districts, conducted by the African American Research Collaborative (AARC) and BSP Research, and sponsored by SEIU, UnidosUS, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, The Asian American Foundation, First Nations Development Institute, Climate Power, Hispanic Federation, Indivisible, Rural Organizing, Voter Participation Center, Somos Votantes, Voto Latino, La Brega Y Fuerza Fund, America’s Voice, and the American Civil Liberties Union.
The election poll contacted more than 9,400 voters who cast their ballots early or were certain to vote in the final days before the November 2024 election, offering exclusive information about the electorate, including Congressional, Senate, and Gubernatorial vote choices, issue priorities, and evaluations of both major parties and what issues motivated voter turnout. The poll also includes data from crucial presidential, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House battleground states, including Florida, Georgia, Texas, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Arizona, Pennsylvania, California, and Nevada, as well as a national sample. The full array of data will be made available on the 2024 American Electorate Voter Poll website. Interactive results for Latino voters will be available on UnidosUS’ Hispanic Electorate Data Hub, which includes results going back to 2006.
About the African American Research Collaborative
The African American Research Collaborative (AARC) provides high-quality research and analysis on the political interests, motivations, and goals for Americans of all backgrounds. Our expert team of pollsters, researchers, and analysts have vast experience in polling, political behavior, and issues that affect us all: the economy, health care, education, housing, civil rights, immigration, policing, jobs, grassroots organizing, and social justice.
About BSP Research
BSP Research is a Latino-owned polling, research, and analytics firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 2021 by Matt Barreto and Gary Segura, who have more than two decades of experience in national polling and research, BSP Research is a leading research and analytic firm with expertise on the political and social views of the American population and beyond. BSP has industry-leading expertise in culturally competent research on communities of color and other forms of disadvantage, and extensive experience in bilingual polling and data gathering from all varieties of communities.
