See the results here.
The recording from this call is available here.
This election, allied organizations across the progressive movement launched the American Election Eve Poll examining how African American, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Latino, Native American and White voters engaged in the 2018 midterm elections. See full results here.
The American Election Eve Poll:
- Examined how African American, Asian American & Pacific Islander, Latino, Native American, and White voters engaged in the 2018 midterm elections.
- Focused on six states with competitive elections (Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Nevada and Texas)
- Included a national survey of 70 House battleground districts with complete samples of Latino, Asian American & Pacific Islander, African-American, and White voters and a national survey of Native American voters.
A few key takeaways:
Across demographics — Latino, African American, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Native American, and White — voters resoundingly rejected President Trump and the GOP’s closing argument of hostility, racism, and division.
- Trump and the Republicans are using toxic rhetoric to try and divide us from one another:
- Latino: 75%
- African American: 87%
- Asian American and Pacific Islander: 74%
- Native American: 69%
- White: 50%
- In 2018, many Republicans made attacks on immigrants’ part of their campaigns. It’s obvious we need to reform our immigration policies, but calling immigrants rapists and gang members accomplishes nothing. Congress should work together on bipartisan immigration reform and put the issue to rest, and address important issues like improving wages, lowering the cost of health care so we have more money in our pockets.
- Race
- Latino: 87%
- African American: 95%
- Asian American and Pacific Islander: 84%
- Native American: 81%
- White: 85%
- Identity
- Republican: 67%
- Independent: 87%
- Democrats: 94%
- Men: 77%
- Women: 82%
- Race
- Americans support the Dream Act
- Latino: 85%
- African American: 81%
- Asian American and Pacific Islander: 72%
- Native American: 71%
- White: 64%
2018 was a referendum on Trump. Reactions and emotions to President Trump were a driving factor for voters in the 2018 elections. A majority of voters of all races and ethnicities were upset by Trump, not inspired, and were motivated to vote.
- Angry
- Latino: 73%
- African American: 79%
- Asian American and Pacific Islander: 66%
- Native American: 61%
- White: 57%
- Total: 62%
- Disrespected
- Latino: 72%
- African American: 83%
- Asian American and Pacific Islander: 67%
- Native American: 57%
- White: 47%
- Total: 54%
- Encouraged friends or family to register or vote in the midterms
- Latino: 77%
- African American: 79%
- Asian American and Pacific Islander: 75%
- Native American: 66%
- White: 66%
The following are statements from some of the pollsters on the American Election Eve Poll.
According to Matt Barreto, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Latino Decisions, “Latino, Black, Native American, and AAPI voters all agree that Trump has created an environment of hostility and racism that is directed towards immigrants and minorities, and this is mobilizing people to take action. Voters of color in particular are taking things into their own hands, reporting high rates of “self-mobilization” and encouraging their friends and family to vote. Rather than waiting on campaigns to knock on their doors, many immigrant and minority voters are seizing the moment and mobilizing themselves, their families, and their communities. Just like we saw on Election Day in Virginia 2017, the headline of the 2018 election will be that a majority of voters do not buy racist attacks on immigrants. Instead, anti-immigrant fear mongering has backfired on Republicans and cost them the House of Representatives.”
Taeku Lee, Principal, Asian American Decisions, “”Asian American and Pacific Islander voters headed into the 2018 midterms angry about the President’s words and deeds and clearly rejected the Republican Party’s politics of fear and division. Continuing the trend of recent elections, AAPIs are now a very solidly Democratic bloc of voters. What’s new for AAPIs in 2018 is the unprecedented levels of civic engagement and voter mobilization.”
Henry Fernandez, Principal African American Research Collaborative, “This election was a referendum on Trump and the Republican party’s full embrace of Trumpism. Black voters do not like Trump at all with almost half saying in our poll that Trump is a racist and his policies are meant to hurt black people. Black women in particular reject Trump, with 85% saying that they feel “disrespected” by him. It is not surprising then that black voters are turning out at high rates and reported 89% support of Democratic candidates, with 92% of African American women supporting Democratic candidates. 85 of black voters see Trump as a threat to reverse recent progress made by African Americans. So much so that they are not only voting but an astonishing 80% say they have encouraged their friends or family to register or to vote. This is a mobilized community, and yesterday, African Americans were essential to the anti-Trump blue wave.”
The following are statements from partner organizations on the American Election Eve Poll.
According to Laura E. Evans, Associate Professor, University of Washington, Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, “Native Americans dislike Trump’s policies and conduct. 61% say Trump has made them angry. 57% say Trump has made them feel disrespected. Only 25% say Trump has made them feel proud. Native Americans are concerned about the well-being of Native American communities, but they’re not convinced either party does. 68% say Trump has caused a major setback to Native American communities. Half were voting to support and represent Native American communities. Most think the Democratic Party hasn’t done a good job reaching out to Native Americans and three-quarters think the Republican Party hasn’t done a good job reaching out to Native Americans. This election is a story of Native American women on the ballot, but also of Native American women at the polls. Native American women were 13 percentage points more apt than Native American men to vote for Democratic candidates and 13 percentage points more apt to have encouraged friends and families to vote.”
“Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) show wide support for progressive policy issues, with healthcare as a central issue in addition to the economy and immigration,” said EunSook Lee, Director of the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund. “The poll finds AAPI voters are alarmed with the direction the country is headed in and expressing their dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump. Out of enthusiasm for the democratic process, they are showing their power at the polls and through other forms of participation, which has contributed to the Democratic takeover of the House. With AAPIs activated in momentous levels, it will be important to see how this newfound civic activism will impact public policies in the months to come.”
“With last night’s solid progressive victories in the U.S. House and many critical states, including the election of so many outstanding women and candidates of color, America Votes is proud to be part of the coalition of organizations sharing this critical data,” said America Votes President Greg Speed. “Gathering and sharing information on the engagement and participation of historically marginalized and underrepresented communities in this election couldn’t be more important as we work to build on last night’s successes to continue to shape a more progressive and equitable nation for all.”
According to Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice, “Trump and the GOP closed the 2018 cycle with a desperate and dangerous argument. They stoked fear, spread lies and incited racial panic among their hardcore base. But this unprecedented mix of mendacity and racism mostly did not work. Yes, Trump held his superfans in deep red states and districts. But xenophobia mostly backfired. A majority coalition of people of color, young people and suburban whites won the popular vote, swept the Democrats into control of the House of Representatives, rebuilt the Blue Wall by winning governorships in states that Trump won in 2016 such as Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, and defeated many of the most anti-immigrant candidates, from Kris Kobach in Kansas to Lou Barletta in Pennsylvania to Corey Stewart and David Brat in Virginia to Dana Rohrabacher in California. Last night, the American people, led by people of color, turned out in huge numbers to vote against hate and racism and for a tolerant and welcoming country. This coalition is now in good shape to get ready for 2020.”
“The Election Eve poll results confirmed that protecting health care coverage, immigrants, and ensuring economic stability remain important to our communities.” said Kathy Ko Chin, president and CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF). “Last night, Asian American, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander voters played a decisive role in electing more minorities and women in the history of our Congress. Our nation’s future is brighter when our communities remain united and stand together for the values and rights that we believe in.”
“The Latino community had great victories in the midterm election and our issues won support of all voters in the process. This poll tells the new Congress how to move forward. It’s up to them to show some backbone and to work with us while pushing against Trump’s racist agenda,” said Ben Monterroso, Co-founder and Executive Director of Mi Familia Vota. “In the meantime, we will keep multiplying our efforts and expanding our outreach to the Latino voters. Ignoring the fastest growing segment of voters is not an option for politicians. Because they will find more of us at the polls in 2020.”
“It is clear that a sense of disrespect, anger and hostility have played a major role in African American voting decisions during these midterm elections,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO. “When nearly 80 percent of African Americans are angry, 84 percent feel disrespected and 85% view Trump as a threat to Black progress, we know we’ve got to fight back.It is also clear according to this poll, communities of color stand as one against racism, exclusion, xenophobia and the demonization of others as a means to generate political support for policies of division.”
“The key to this election was people who don’t always vote in midterms—Black, Latinx, Asian Pacific Islander voters—turning out to say no to hatred and yes to a bold, progressive agenda,” said SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry. “This poll backs up what SEIU members heard on the doors and we all saw at the ballot box: voters were
“The American Election Eve poll provides a more accurate snapshot of the American mosaic, and of voters’ concerns with political tactics aimed to divide us rather than ignite problem-solving. Latinos responded by participating at unprecedented levels. They rejected the politics of division as did many of their fellow Americans, who delivered a resounding defeat to the Latino community’s long-time ‘axis of evil’—anti-immigrant candidates Lou Barletta in Pennsylvania, Corey Stewart in Virginia, and Kris Kobach in deep-red Kansas. And Latinos didn’t just vote against hate and divisiveness, they also voted for candidates that more truly represent the American mosaic and will give new life to issues like protecting the ACA, expanding voting rights, and ending inhumane immigration policies,” said Janet Murguia, President and CEO, UnidosUS
