64 percent of Black women backing Biden in new survey

A majority of Black women continue to support President Biden, according to a new survey taken before his disastrous debate last month, but the Biden-Harris ticket is far less popular than it was four years ago.  

In a survey from The Cut, 64 percent of Black women said they would vote for Biden if the election were held today. His support was highest among Black women between the ages of 35 and 55, with 68 percent saying they would vote for him. Fifty-eight percent of Black women between the ages of 18 and 34 said they would vote for him. 

The survey polled 1,200 Black women between the ages of 18 and 55 between June 3 and June 14 — before Biden’s lackluster debate performance and calls for him to exit the race, as well as before the assassination attempt on former President Trump. 

Black women are one of the Democratic Party’s most loyal supporters and will be a crucial coalition Biden must win over to maintain the White House. 

But Biden’s levels of support are significantly lower than they were ahead of 2020, when 95 percent voted for him according to Pew Research Center.

Vice President Harris is seen as more effective than Biden among Black women, with 68 percent of respondents saying they approve of how Harris is handling her role, compared to 63 percent who said the same for Biden. 

Black women between the ages of 18 and 34 were more likely to say they feel moderate or strong pressure to support Harris, who is seen as the most likely replacement for Biden should he decide to step aside.

The top three issues for Black women heading into November are racial justice and equality; inflation and the economy; and crime. 

Only 28 percent of Black women said the country is moving in the right direction in terms of racial justice, with 44 percent saying they have faced racial discrimination. Fourteen percent said they have dealt with police violence. 

Meanwhile, Black women have strong feelings on other hot-button issues this election cycle. 

Fifty percent of Black women said they are in support of legalizing abortion nationwide, compared to only 14 percent who said they would support a nationwide ban. Twenty-two percent said they are undecided on their abortion stance.