The role of minority voters in the 2018 midterm elections

High levels of minority voter turnout were credited with swinging the results of several high-profile special elections over the past year. As this year’s midterm elections draw near, it is clear that the votes of minority populations—particularly black, Latino, and Asian-Americans—may once again prove influential. How will turnout among these groups compare to past years? Will President Trump’s policies and an increase in black and Latino candidates invigorate left-leaning minority voters, or will voter suppression efforts thwart the potential “blue wave” that would sweep in a Democratic majority in the House?

On Thursday, Nov. 1, Governance Studies hosted a panel of experts to discuss these questions as they relate to the upcoming elections. Panelists discussed how minority voter turnout will influence the outcome of the 2018 midterms as well as the crosscutting forces that affect minority turnout.

After the session, panelists took questions from the audience.