New Higher Heights Poll- Black Women Voters 2024: Political Perceptions, Participation, and Power

WASHINGTON (March 8, 2024) — Higher Heights, the leading national organization exclusively dedicated to advancing Black women’s political power, released new polling data this week on the top issues of concern to Black women voters in 2024. 

As the country hears from President Biden for the State of the Union address and just 8 months until the November 2024 elections, the poll shows that Black women have top concerns about a broad range of issues, but the top issues for Black women voters are inflation, the cost of living and affordable housing. 

Higher Heights released the poll findings in conjunction with HIT Strategies at a media briefing on Tuesday at the National Press Club. The poll surveys 852 Black women voters, and was conducted online, February 14- 22. 

“These critical issues impact Black women’s everyday lives.  Black women want economically thriving, education-rich, healthy, and safe communities.  Our poll shows that for Black women, cost, not the economy, are driving Black women’s issue priorities. They also care immensely about reproductive rights, racism in our institutions, protection of Social Security and Medicare, as well the banning of Black history in our school,” said Glynda C. Carr, President & CEO of Higher Heights Leadership Fund. These issues should be the focus of Congress, our elected leaders, and candidates who are vying for their votes this November. Black women are a powerful voting bloc and as we head into the 2024 elections, they will be looking to the candidates not only center these issues but provide public policy solutions. These issues will no doubt affect how Black women use their vote. “ 

Other key findings of the poll include: 

• Though Black women voters strongly believe in the power of their vote, there is a clear concern for the direction of the country and the upcoming elections. Over three-quarters of Black women voters describe their vote as powerful (76%), but 29% of Black women voters believe their voter power is decreasing as we get closer to the November 2024 election.
   
• Heading into the 2024 elections, Black women voters are most worried about inflation, the cost of living and affordable housing. Despite public safety and gun violence rising to the top as a general concern for the country, Black women voters are most personally worried about how economic issues are impacting their families and communities. That said, racial profiling by police is a top non-economic concern.
   
• Abortion continues to be a galvanizing and mobilizing issue among Black women voters. Over 40% of Black women (say that they are more likely to vote for a candidate who is “pro-reproductive freedom” (more than 35% who say it would not make a difference.) This finding holds true across age, education, and political party. More than 1 in 3 (35%) of self-identified Black Republican women voters state that a “pro-choice” label would make them more likely to vote for a candidate in the nearing elections.
   
• Though Black women voters clearly feel the increase in Black elected representation, there is a persistent feeling of underrepresentation that can decrease morale.  Despite the fact that 58% of Black women voters believe they are underrepresented in political power, most are still hopefully optimistic about the representational power they do have. Nearly 81% of Black women voters believe that Black women elected officials have the power to effect change in their communities.
   
• Generational divide among Black women could impact their political participation. Voters age 18-49 are less trusting of institutions in general – they are less likely to feel they have political power, less likely to trust the Democratic Party will make a difference in their lives, and less likely to trust the media and news sources they see. 

Methodology: Higher Heights Leadership Fund commissioned HIT Strategies to poll 852 Black American women voters, conducted February 14- 22 via online. The poll focused on the upcoming 2024 elections. 

Higher Heights for America, a 501(c)(4), and its sister organization Higher Heights Leadership Fund, a national 501(c)(3) organization, are building the political power and leadership of Black women from the voting booth to elected office and creating the environment for Black women to run, win and lead. For additional information, please visit  https://www.higherheightsleadershipfund.org/.