How will Black voters influence the 2020 election?

Republicans and Democrats are pulling out all the stops to win over Black voters in the 2020 election. As a key voting bloc, Black Americans have the power to decide who the next president will be. With the added challenges of a global pandemic, a looming economic crisis, and growing tensions surrounding race relations, how will turnout among Black Americans compare to years past? Will divisive policies and voter suppression efforts keep Black voters from the polls, or will the nomination of the first Black vice presidential candidate and recent protests inspire activism and coalition building in communities of color?

On September 30, the day after the first presidential debate, Brookings hosted a webinar with experts who have dedicated their scholarship to examining the issues facing Black Americans. They discussed how the candidates’ positions and rhetoric on racial justice, economic inequality, healthcare and education will influence Black voters’ decisions at the polls.

Viewers submitted questions by emailing [email protected] or on Twitter using #Policy2020.

This event was part of the Brookings Policy 2020 initiative, which aims to unpack the issues shaping the 2020 election through fact-based analysis.