Wesley Harmon
Critical Issues in the 2024 Presidential Election for Generation Z
Critical Issues in the 2024 Presidential Election for Generation Z Black Voters
Weslyn Harmon, 2024 Graduate
Department of Political Science, Howard University
As the 2024 presidential candidates seek new voters, the state of the country under the Biden Administration is a primary concern of Black voters. The monumental role of Black voters is crucial to federal election outcomes. According to Elliott, since 1992 “[n]o Democrat has captured their party’s nomination without the Black vote” (2023). A Pew Research study titled “Behind Biden’s 2020 Victory” disclosed that Biden received 92 percent of Black voters' support, contributing to his overall success (Igielnik, 2021). President Biden’s 2020 campaign promised to economically invest in Black communities, lower Medicare drug prices, and close funding gaps in education, yet many Black Americans are left with unanswered promises.
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A national survey of 702 Black women by the Highland project, entitled “Black Women Deserve to Thrive,” showed a 69 percent dissatisfaction rate among Millennials and Gen Zers of the country's current state (Wyatt, 2023). Another survey of 1000 Black voters conducted by the Carnegie Endowment of International Peace found that 29 percent reported the economy, 21 percent reported racial discrimination, and 17 percent reported healthcare as primary concerns as the 2024 presidential election draws closer (Shell, 2023). These results align with the Highland Project’s survey of Black women, which reported concern with reducing gun violence, protecting abortion rights, and fighting the rise in hate (Wyatt, 2023). The ballot decisions made by Black Generation Z voters (18 - 27) will be critical of the U.S. economy, reproductive and healthcare legislation, and combating racial discrimination.
Economic Concerns
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in April 2023 that of the 300,000 new unemployment cases, 267,000 were Black workers (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023). This rate was double the White unemployment rate, and the scarcity of jobs will significantly impact Black x xaq DcxsC Xvoters’ decisions at the poll. They will support candidates prioritizing lower to middle class workers' job security to combat the trickle-down economics theory. As young Black voters enter the workforce, many face job insecurity or low wages, regardless of their qualifications. Young Black voters are concerned with career stability, increased homeownership rates, and long-term wealth. They will seek concrete solutions concerning minimum wages and work-related issues from candidates in the 2024 presidential election.
Racial Discrimination and Societal Concerns
Both Black Democrats and Republicans care about racial equality, yet they differ in their approaches. Kiana Cox, a senior researcher at the Pew Research Center, found that “Black Republicans differ from Black Democrats in one key way: They tend to support individualistic approaches to addressing racial inequality, while Black Democrats tend to support institutional approaches” (Cox et. al, 2022). Most Black Democrats argue that racial inequality is ingrained in U.S. laws and institutions; Black Republicans believe that personal efforts will overcome inequity (Cox & Edwards, 2022). As the 2024 election progresses, Democratic candidates must have aligned perspectives on racial issues to garner support. Members of Black Generation Z have been dissuaded from both parties by politicians’ criticism of the 2020 police brutality protests, and they are seeking political action with long-term solutions.
Reproductive and Healthcare Concerns
Access to healthcare is a consistent concern of Black voters. A Pew Research study on “Black Americans’ views about health disparities” found that “47 percent [said] hospitals and medical centers giving lower priority to their well-being [was the] major reason for differing health outcomes” (Funk, 2022). Gender also plays a role in healthcare, and the Highland Project survey on Black female voters suggests that over 75 percent described wanting reproductive and abortion protection legislation (Wyatt, 2023, p. 15). Black women describe racial bias and stereotyping in healthcare as they seek care throughout their lives, directly affecting Black Maternal Health.
Conclusion
The decisions of President Biden and other candidates on these critical issues: the economy, racial discrimination, and healthcare will impact how Black voters within Generation Z choose to vote. The rising education levels and awareness of societal issues among Black voters will generate more questions for the incoming president. The caliber of 2024 presidential candidates will affect the enthusiasm Black Generation Z voters take to the polls, and candidates with misaligned views may discourage them from engaging in the electoral process. Nonetheless, the issues that Black Gen Zers find the most impactful remain the same, whether or not they participate in voting in the election. Young Black voters intend to protect their freedoms and advocate for what they believe is morally right, domestically, and internationally. The pivotal role that Black voters of all ages play in federal elections will continue to influence the country's direction, and digital communications will be an asset for the voting public. If the Democratic Party does not take the concerns of the Black Generation Z population seriously, many may mobilize against them.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023). “The Employment Situation.” Department of Labor, https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf
Cox, K., & Edwards, K. (2022). Black Americans Have A Clear Vision For Reducing Racism But Little Hope It Will Happen. Pew Research Center Race & Ethnicity.
Cox, K., et al. (2022). “10 Facts About Black Republicans.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/11/07/10-facts-about-black-republica ns/
Elliott, P. (2023). Falling Black Support For Biden Has Democrats Worried. Time. https://time.com/6270949/biden-black-voters-tim-scott-2024/
Funk, C. (2022). Black Americans’ Views About Health Disparities, Experiences With Health Care. Pew Research Center Science & Society.
Igielnik, R., & Scott, K. (2021). “Behind Biden’s 2020 Victory.” Pew Research Center - U.S. Politics & Policy, Pew Research Center, www.pewresearch.org/politics/2021/06/30/behind-bidens-2020-victory/.
Shell, C (2023). Black Americans Don’t Vote on Foreign Policy, but They Are Paying Attention.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Wyatt, G. (2023). “Black Women Deserve to Thrive.” The Highland Project, https://www.thehighlandproject.org/2023THPPoll