Most Black registered voters express greater confidence in Kamala Harris on key issues than in Donald Trump. Their support for the Democratic presidential candidate is highlighted in new survey.
According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, more than eight-in-ten (84%) Black voters say they would vote for Harris if the election were held today, while 13% say they would vote for Trump. Four years ago, 92% of Black validated voters cast their ballots for President Joe Biden, with only 8% voting for Trump.
With Harris now the Democratic nominee, 57% of Black voters say they are very or fairly satisfied with the candidates in the race. In July, when Biden was expected to be the nominee, only 31% of Black voters felt the same.
While overall satisfaction with the candidates has improved among Black voters, there are significant age-based differences. Among Black voters aged 18 to 49, 57% report being not too or not at all satisfied with the candidates, compared to just 29% of those aged 50 and older.
As the 2024 U.S. election approaches, majorities of Black voters express deep concern about the rising cost of food and consumer goods (76%), housing costs (72%), and unemployment (56%).
A large majority of Black voters (82%) say the economy is very important to their vote this year, with sizable majorities also citing health care (82%), racial and ethnic inequality (75%), violent crime (71%), and gun policy (66%) as key issues.
Across different demographic groups of Black Americans, the importance of these issues is generally consistent, though some differences exist:
- Age: Black voters aged 50 and older are more likely than those aged 18 to 49 to consider health care (86% vs. 77%), violent crime (76% vs. 65%), and gun policy (72% vs. 60%) as very important.
- Gender: Black women are more likely than Black men to prioritize racial and ethnic inequality (79% vs. 70%) and violent crime (78% vs. 63%) in their 2024 vote.
- Education: Black voters without a college degree are more likely than those with a degree to emphasize the importance of the economy (84% vs. 75%) and violent crime (74% vs. 62%).
READ ALSO: New Poll: Kamala Harris gains majority support among Black swing-state voters
Compared to all registered voters, Black voters are significantly more likely to view racial and ethnic inequality as very important (75% vs. 37%). Additionally, 66% of Black voters consider gun policy very important, compared to 56% of all voters.
Nearly half of Black voters (48%) believe Harris’ policies would improve conditions for Black people if she wins the presidency, while only 8% say the same about Trump’s policies.
Black voters also have much more confidence in Harris than Trump on key issues. About eight-in-ten or more Black voters are very or somewhat confident that Harris can:
- Make good decisions about health care policy (87%)
- Effectively address racial issues (86%)
- Make good decisions about economic policy (79%)
- Handle law enforcement and criminal justice issues effectively (78%)
By contrast, no more than roughly 30% of Black voters have confidence in Trump’s ability to handle these issues.
Demographic differences in confidence in Harris:
- Age: Black voters aged 50 and older are more likely than younger voters to be confident in Harris’ ability to make sound economic decisions (89% vs. 64%) and manage criminal justice issues effectively (90% vs. 62%).
- Gender: Black women are more likely than Black men to trust Harris’ ability to make economic decisions (85% vs. 71%).
Demographic differences in confidence in Trump:
- Age: Younger Black voters (ages 18 to 49) are more likely than older voters to be confident in Trump’s ability to make decisions about health care (33% vs. 17%), race (27% vs. 13%), and the economy (45% vs. 20%).
- Gender: Black men are more likely than Black women to be confident in Trump’s economic decisions (38% vs. 24%).
- Education: Black voters without a college degree are more likely than degree holders to trust Trump’s ability to make economic decisions (35% vs. 19%) and handle criminal justice issues (27% vs. 14%).
On other national issues, Black voters are also more confident in Harris than Trump. Majorities express confidence in Harris’ ability to:
- Select good Supreme Court nominees (85%)
- Make sound decisions about abortion (84%)
- Make informed foreign policy decisions (83%)
- Make wise immigration policy choices (81%)
- Unite the country (69%)
- Reduce the influence of money in politics (66%)
However, voters overall are more likely to have confidence in Trump than in Harris on issues such as the economy, immigration, foreign policy, criminal justice, and reducing the influence of money in politics.
READ ALSO: Barack Obama readies to campaign for Kamala Harris in key swing states
