Black voters in key battleground states highly motivated to vote in November: Poll

Black voters in key battleground states are highly motivated to cast their ballots in this year’s election, according to new polling, following Vice President Harris’s ascension to the top of the Democratic ticket.

The polling from Everytown for Gun Safety, Rolling Sea Action Fund PAC and Global Strategy Group was exclusively provided to The Hill and shows that a majority of Black voters in Atlanta, Detroit, Milwaukee, Las Vegas and Philadelphia identify as Democrats, with 74 percent “very motivated” to vote in November.

More than half of respondents said they are more enthusiastic to vote since President Biden dropped his reelection bid and with the prospect of having a Black president and Black Speaker of the House should Democrats regain control of the chamber. 

“It’s clear that Black voters are ready to send a message to Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans that they have no business running our country,” said Niccara Campbell Wallace, executive director of Rolling Sea Action Fund. 

“But the results also show that we have a lot of work to do in the final stretch and cannot be complacent,” she added. “We must continue to organize and mobilize to ensure that Vice President Harris wins, and so that we can continue the progress on keeping our communities safe from gun violence, driving down the cost of living, all while protecting a woman’s right to the health care she deserves.”

Eighty-one percent of Black voters surveyed had a favorable view of Harris, with 79 percent approving of the job she’s done as vice president. 

Harris also has a 71-point lead over former President Trump, according to the polling. 

Eighty-four percent of respondents surveyed had an unfavorable view of Trump, while 63 percent had an unfavorable view of Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), Trump’s running mate. 

Overall, Republicans in these states were highly unpopular among Black voters questioned by pollsters. 

When focused on Congress, 85 percent said they would prefer if the House of Representatives is controlled by Democrats next year.

The poll also identified Black voters’ top concerns heading into November, which included the cost of living and inflation and protecting access to abortion. 

They are also highly concerned about gun violence and almost universally support “common-sense” gun safety policies. 

“The poll shows that an overwhelming majority of Black voters in key states firmly back Vice President Harris and want leaders who will push for stronger gun safety laws,” said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action. 

“It’s clear that these voters are eager to reject Donald Trump and his guns everywhere agenda, which harms Black communities disproportionately. The data proves that gun safety is a major political issue—it energizes voters, changes minds, and has become a litmus test for candidates in key states.”

Global Strategy Group conducted a survey of 1,000 Black registered voters in Atlanta, Detroit, Milwaukee, Las Vegas, and Philadelphia between Aug. 27 and Sept. 5. The results have a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.