What happened? What follows is a brief review of some of the available evidence on what transpired on November 8, 1994, when the Republicans won a majority of seats in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as in an additional 17 state legislative bodies. In particular, this review will focus on three areas: the behavior and significance of African-American voters in the 1994 midterms elections; the changing numbers and profile of black candidates for both federal and statewide office, and their performance at the polls; and the significance of these substantial Republican gains for black legislators at both the federal and state level. Finally, after reviewing this evidence, a few observations regarding these Republican gains will be offered.

African-American voters, issues and leaders played a more pivotal role in the elections of 1992 than at any time in history.  However, the nature and contours of that participation were quite different from before, and the significance of their role in the electoral process was in many respects quite unexpected.  Despite the unforeseen twists and turns of the 1992 elections, the overall logic of the presidential campaign was strategically quite lucid, and anticipates what may be the shape of racial politics in the 19902 and beyond.

The analysis by senior research associate David Bositis examines the impact African Americans are likely to have in the November elections, with special attention to black trends in partisanship, public opinion, and voting behavior. The volume also includes listings of black Republican elected officials and black delegates and alternatives to the 2000 convention in Philadelphia.

The analysis by senior research associate David A. Bositis examines the impact African Americans are likely to have in the November elections, with special attention to black trends in partisanship, public opinion, and voting behavior. The volume also includes listings of black Democratic elected officials and black delegates and alternates to the 2000 convention in Los Angeles.

There were several interesting developments in black politics in November 1996, the two most significant of which are the large increase in the black male vote and the election of four African-Americans to the U.S. House from majority white districts. Overall black turnout appears to be up from 1992, and African-Americans again were primarily Democratic in their partisanship on November 5.

TURNOUT. According to the Committee for the Study of the American Electorate, overall turnout in the 1996 election was down substantially from 1992; in 1992, 104.4 million people voted, while in 1996, 95.8 million people voted. This was the lowest level of voter participation since 1924.

This is a brief review of some of the available evidence on what transpired on November 3, 1998, when the black vote was critical to the outcome of a number of closely contested elections. This review focuses on two aspects of the election: (1) the behavior and significance of African American voters in the 1998 midterm elections; and (2) the changing numbers and profile of black candidates for both federal and statewide office, as well as their performance at the polls.

National turnout in the 1998 midterms was down from 1994. According to the Committee for the Study of the American Electorate, overall turnout declined from 38.8 percent in 1994 to 36.1 percent this year. African American voters turned out at somewhat lower rates than in 1994, principally reflecting the overall decline among the general population. According to exit polls, the black share of the 1998 vote was 10 percent, the same share as in 1994. Thus, there was no decline in the black share of the vote nationally.

On November 2, 2004, the black vote was critical to the outcome of a number of closely contested elections. What follows is a brief review of turnout and election results from November 2, 2004, based on the available evidence. It focuses on the behavior and significance of African American voters in the elections; and the changing numbers and profile of black candidates for federal office as well as their performance at the polls.

 

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Date Published: 2005

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On November 7, 2000, the black vote was critical to the outcome of a number of closely contested elections. What follows is a brief review of some of the available evidence on this subject. In particular, this review focuses on the significance of African American voters' ballot behavior in the elections. It also examines the changing numbers and profile of black candidates for both federal and statewide office, as well as their performance at the polls.

 

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Date Published: 2001
 

AARP and the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies conducted a survey in South Carolina among 700 African-American likely voters in April of 2007. The purpose of the survey was to understand the top domestic concerns African-Americans in South Carolina want to see addressed by candidates for the respective Democratic and Republican political party nominations.

 

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Date Published: April 2007
 

The AARP and the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies conducted a survey in South Carolina among 700 African-American likely voters in April of 2007. The purpose of the survey was to understand the concerns African-Americans in South Carolina want to see addressed by candidates for the respective Democratic and Republican political party nominations.

 

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Date Published: April 2007