Magazine, The Immigrant Experience
In anticipation of the 2024 elections, a groundbreaking poll conducted by Intersections of Our Lives, in collaboration with leading women of color-led reproductive justice organizations, has provided crucial insights into the voting behaviors and priorities of women of color voters. These findings were discussed at a recent Ethnic Media Services briefing, where a panel of experts explored the implications of the poll results.
Women of color, comprising AAPI, Black, and Latina/x women, represent a powerful voting bloc, yet they often feel that policymakers do not prioritize their concerns. This sentiment was reflected in the poll’s findings, which were released on May 9.
The panel at the briefing featured esteemed leaders from women of color-led reproductive justice organizations, including Sung Yeon Choimorrow, Executive Director of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum; Regina Davis Moss, President and CEO of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda; Lupe M. Rodriguez, Executive Director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice; Celinda Lake, President of Lake Research Partners; and Roshni Nedungadi, Chief Research Officer & Founding Partner of HIT Strategies.
The poll revealed that rising costs are a significant concern among women of color voters. Specifically, 35% of Latina women, 33% of AAPI women, and 29% of Black women identified rising costs as one of the top issues influencing their vote in the upcoming 2024 elections. Job creation and the need for more affordable housing were also critical concerns.
Despite feeling overlooked by policymakers, women of color voters are motivated to participate in the upcoming elections if they perceive their values are represented and their concerns addressed. This high motivation underscores their potential to influence election outcomes significantly.
The panel emphasized that the poll included unique questions rarely addressed by other surveys or census data. For instance, a significant majority of women of color voters expressed that they feel the country has worsened over the past year, highlighting a growing dissatisfaction with current conditions.
Intersections of Our Lives, as a coalition of three leading women of color-led reproductive justice organizations, underscored the intersectional nature of the issues affecting women of color. They address civil rights, justice, reproductive health, and equity issues through their collective efforts, ensuring a holistic approach to advocacy.
The poll was conducted as a national mixed-mode survey, which included oversamples within each community to ensure a diverse representation. This approach aimed to capture the nuanced perspectives and priorities of women of color voters across different demographic groups, providing a comprehensive understanding of their voting behaviors.
Lupe Rodriguez, Executive Director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, provided insightful perspectives on the impact and motivations of women of color voters during the briefing. She highlighted the significant role of women of color voters in determining election outcomes and shared data indicating high motivation among them for the upcoming elections, emphasizing their perception of voting as crucial for effecting desired changes. Rodriguez also underscored the importance of political engagement and representation for women of color voters.
In conclusion, the panel discussion illuminated the complex landscape of women of color voting trends, underscoring the need for policymakers and candidates to proactively address their concerns and engage with this influential voting bloc effectively. As the 2024 elections approach, understanding and responding to the priorities of women of color voters will be crucial in shaping the political landscape and driving meaningful change.
This event not only highlighted the data and insights from the poll but also emphasized the collective action and advocacy efforts of women of color-led organizations in addressing issues critical to their communities. It served as a call to action for political leaders and policymakers to prioritize the concerns of women of color voters and engage with them in a meaningful way to ensure equitable representation and policy outcomes.
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