The Impact of Black Voters in 2012

An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll taken at the end of the summer reported that Mitt Romney’s black support was a whopping 0%. This number, while shocking, is not implausible considering the polarization of political parties according to race during the last 20 years. For example, Barack Obama received 96% of the black vote in 2008 and 90% of Republican voters were white. Obama’s historic election led many Americans (I would argue, white Americans) to believe that we live in post-racial society. From the moment president Obama took office it has been clear that partisan politics would be impossible to avoid. Although insignificant in many people's minds, the votes of black Americans (and ALL other votes) will be extremely important in this election.

This polarization of political parties on the basis of race has intensified due to the rise of the Tea Party movement. In May it was reported that 1 in 6 Americans believe that Obama is Muslim. Among Republicans, who are most likely white Americans, this number is even higher, around 30 percent. These factors and ignorance surrounding Obama's background are not gaining the Republican party many black voters. Although it is clear that black voters will disproportionately vote for Barack Obama, it is still not clear whether or not the number of blacks voting will be consistent with 2008.

According to Pew Research black Americans ages 18-29 increased their voter turnout rates by 8.7 percent. The excitement surrounding Obama's among ethnic minorities at the time of the election was great, but it seems as that excitement is not as potent, because the milestone (of the first black president) has already been accomplished. It will be of principal importance that black Americans young and old turnout to vote since 1.4 million black males, who have been convicted of felonies, will be unable to vote.


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