New study identifies distinct black voting blocs

New study sheds light on the various perspectives of black voters and their approaches to numerous election issues.

reports that the Sojourn Strategies study identifies black voters as falling into a number of of 5 categories: civil rights voters, secular progressives, new-generation traditionalists, rightly cynical, and race-neutral conservatives.

According to Katrina Gamble, CEO of Sojourn Strategies, “These clusters indicate that there is “there are incredible differences in the black community in the way people think about democracy and their role in our democracy.”

The survey surveyed 2,034 registered voters and 918 unregistered voters, and their responses indicated that 41% were pro-civil rights voters, who tended to be over 50 years old and had high voter turnout. They were also a gaggle that believed their vote may lead to positive change.

By contrast, the group considered more cynical, making up 22% of respondents, were the youngest and least more likely to vote. Shaped by their experiences with racism and encounters with law enforcement, they felt their votes carried less weight in comparison with what older generations believed.

Next-Gen Traditionalists were probably the most religious and least educated group, made up mostly of millennial and Generation Z voters. They made up 18% of respondents and were a low-turnout group with moderate faith in the ability of voting.

Secular progressives are probably the most progressive group amongst black voters, although they’re relatively small at only 12%. This group can be the probably to vote, and consists mainly of educated women who’re extremely more likely to vote.

The final group, race-neutral conservatives, are likely to be male voters, who’re the second oldest and most conservative group. This group makes up 7% of respondents and has moderate voter turnout, tending to point to systemic barriers to private alternative voting.

According to Sojourn Strategies, several groups have engaged voters in campaigns tailored to extend their participation within the civic process. These groups include the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, the New Georgia Project, Black Leaders Organizing Communities in Wisconsin, Michigan’s Detroit Action, Faith In Florida and POWER Interfaith in Pennsylvania.

According to Gamble’s editorial in , “When black people feel powerful, they vote. When they feel powerless, they don’t vote. Simply throwing millions of dollars into advertising, especially at the last minute, will not give black voters the power to make a difference with their votes. Instead, invest in black-led power-building organizations that are already deeply engaged in their local communities.”

Gamble continued: “Ultimately, candidates need to treat black voters like the sophisticated political operatives that they are. They need to understand the nuances and differences in black political thought and behavior. They’re going to have to woo and persuade them. And they need to start now, not after Labor Day.”