New polls indicate a decline in President Biden's approval ratings among Black voters, as former President Trump gains ground in key battleground states.
In a recent poll conducted by the New York Times, Siena College, and the Philadelphia Inquirer, President Biden's support among Black voters has dwindled, signaling potential challenges for his 2024 re-election campaign. The poll results indicate that former President Donald Trump has gained an edge in several key battleground states, raising concerns about the strength of Biden's Democratic coalition.
According to the poll, Trump leads Biden among registered voters in Arizona (49%-42%), Georgia (49%-39%), Michigan (49%-42%), Nevada (50%-38%), and Pennsylvania (47%-44%). In Wisconsin, Biden narrowly remains ahead at 47%-45%. This represents a significant shift from the 2020 election, where Biden won these states by razor-thin margins.
The erosion of Biden's support among Black voters is particularly concerning for the president. In 2020, Black voters overwhelmingly supported Biden, helping him to secure the presidency. However, the recent poll suggests that his approval ratings have deteriorated significantly among this demographic.
The poll also indicates that voters are generally dissatisfied with the current political and economic conditions in the United States. Nearly 70% of respondents expressed a desire for major changes to the nation's systems or their complete overhaul. Furthermore, nearly three-quarters believe that Trump would bring significant changes if he is elected, while less than a quarter have the same sentiment about Biden.
The polls also highlight Trump's gains among voters who previously supported Biden in 2020. Trump and Biden are currently tied among voters aged 18-29 years old and Hispanic voters. Additionally, the poll suggests that Trump is securing over 20% of Black voters' support, which would represent the highest level of backing by Black voters for a GOP presidential nominee in decades.
The economy remains a significant issue for voters, with more than half of those surveyed expressing a negative view of its current state. Inflation, despite cooling in recent months, continues to be a major concern. However, Biden still retains some support among older and White voters, who are more likely to prioritize stability and democracy in their vote.
Abortion remains a potential hurdle for Trump. Nearly two-thirds of voters polled believe that abortion should be legal in most or all cases, including 44% of those supporting the former president.
The poll surveyed over 4,000 voters in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, with a margin of error of plus or minus 1.8 percentage points. The margin of error in the individual states ranged from plus or minus 3.6 to 4.6 percentage points.
