'Black Voters' Mass Participation in Early Voting for US Presidential Election... "Advantageous for Biden"'

Black Voter Early Voting Participation in Georgia Increased from 290,000 in 2016 to 600,000
Significant Increases Also in Maryland and California... "Felt Like the Most Important Election of My Life"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Ahead of the U.S. presidential election on the 3rd of next month, early voting participation among Black voters is significantly increasing, CNN reported on the 26th (local time). Amid nationwide large-scale protests against racial discrimination triggered by the death of George Floyd this year, more Black voters are turning out to vote than in the 2016 presidential election.

According to the report, as of the 20th, 600,000 Black voters participated in early voting in Georgia, more than double the 290,000 who voted early during the presidential election four years ago. In Maryland, the number of Black voters participating in early voting surged from 18,000 in 2016 to 190,000, and in California, the figure nearly tripled from 110,000 to 300,000 during the same period.

CNN interviewed Black voters and found that many of them are concerned about racial discrimination and discriminatory treatment by the police, and fear losing healthcare benefits due to the repeal of Obamacare. CNN stated, "There are a very large number of Black voters nationwide," adding, "Many responded that they feel this is the most important election of their lives."

Black voters are considered a core support base for the Democratic Party. When President Donald Trump defeated Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election, the low turnout among Black voters, who tend to support the Democratic Party, was seen as a major factor. Some analyses even suggest that 12 million Black voters did not participate in that election.

According to The Washington Post (WP), Black voter turnout steadily increased to 66.2% in 2012 but dropped to 59.6% in the presidential election four years ago, marking the first decline in 20 years. The 2008 and 2012 elections featured Barack Obama, the first Black president, as the Democratic candidate.

Considering these factors, the Democratic Party is strongly appealing to Black voters to "vote." Michelle Obama, wife of former President Obama, urged voter participation at an event last August, stating that the Democrats lost the 2016 election by about two candidates per basic electoral district and that "we have lived with that result." Former President Obama also launched his first campaign rally on the 21st, emphasizing the importance of Black men's votes and stating, "Not voting is handing over power."