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    Voting Is About To Begin. How Has The Electorate Changed?

    en-usSeptember 03, 2024
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    Podcast Summary

    • Decline of White Voters without College DegreesThe largest voting demographic in seven key swing states for the 2024 election, white voters without college degrees, are shrinking, making it more challenging for campaigns to mobilize them to vote. Political campaigns must adapt to engage and mobilize this shrinking demographic to ensure their votes are counted.

      White voters without college degrees, a key demographic in several swing states for the 2024 election, are on the decline. This group, which is the largest in all seven swing states including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada, is shrinking, making it more challenging for campaigns, specifically Trump's campaign, to mobilize them to vote. According to the NPR Politics Podcast, this demographic has seen a decrease in numbers since the 2020 election and even further back to 2008. This shift in the electorate could significantly impact the outcome of the election. It's important for political campaigns to adapt and find new ways to engage and mobilize this shrinking demographic to ensure their votes are counted. For US citizens living abroad, it's crucial to stay informed and make sure your voice is heard by requesting your ballot through the Center for US Voters Abroad Turnout Projects online form at internationalvoter.com.

    • Voting patterns of white non-college votersWhite non-college voters' voting patterns vary significantly by region, with decreasing support in blue wall states and strong support in swing states. Democrats have made gains with college-educated white voters, but optics concerns may arise. Understanding these patterns is essential for campaign strategy and voter outreach.

      The voting patterns of white non-college voters vary greatly depending on the region, with significant implications for political campaigns. For instance, in blue wall states like Wisconsin, there has been a noticeable decrease in the percentage of non-college white voters, from 66% to around 58-59%. Conversely, in swing states such as North Carolina and Georgia, these voters have shown strong support for Trump, with over 78% of them voting for him in 2020. Democrats have made gains with college-educated white voters, who have historically leaned Republican but have shifted towards the Democrats in recent years. However, the party's success in appealing to this demographic might raise optics concerns, as the Democrats have long been perceived as the party for the working class. The disparity in voting patterns between non-college white voters in different regions could pose a challenge for both parties in terms of campaign strategy and voter outreach. Additionally, the importance of turnout operations for both parties cannot be overstated, especially given the uncertainty surrounding Trump's team's ability to mobilize voters effectively. Overall, understanding the nuances of voting patterns among various demographic groups is crucial for political campaigns and can help inform effective campaign strategies.

    • Rust Belt's changing voter demographicsThe Democratic Party's reliance on college-educated white voters in Rust Belt states could be challenged as these areas see an increase in white voters with degrees, potentially impacting election outcomes based on turnout.

      The Democratic Party's reliance on college-educated white voters, particularly in the Rust Belt states, could present an intriguing challenge as they work to address their elitism issue. These voters have historically shown higher propensity to vote, but their numbers have grown significantly in recent years, leading to overperformance in low-turnout elections. However, in high-turnout elections, lower propensity voters, who are less likely to have college degrees, tend to decline. The Rust Belt's changing demographics, with more whites having degrees, could impact election outcomes. For instance, in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, there has been an increase of up to eight points in white voters with degrees since 2008. This shift in the job market from manufacturing to education-based industries is reshaping the Rust Belt's voter base. Ultimately, the impact of these demographic changes on the 2022 midterm elections will depend on the overall turnout.

    • Demographic shifts in voter basesDemocrats gain advantage with college-educated white voters, while Republicans rely on white voters without degrees. Democrats have edge in ground game, challenging Trump campaign to rally base. Republicans aim to expand support among historically Democratic groups.

      The demographic composition of voter bases for the Democrats and Republicans in certain states has shifted significantly. The Democratic Party is seeing an increase in college-educated white voters, while the Republican Party, specifically Trump's base, consists mostly of white voters without college degrees. This dynamic poses a challenge for the Trump campaign in terms of voter turnout, especially as we enter the mobilization phase past Labor Day. The Democrats have a clear advantage in terms of ground staff, volunteers, and offices, which could make it more difficult for the Trump campaign to rally their base. In response, the Republicans are attempting to expand their support among historically Democratic groups, such as Latino men and black men. Ultimately, the success of each campaign will depend on their ability to effectively mobilize their respective bases and appeal to new voters.

    • Latino votersThe growing influence of Latino voters in the Southwest has reshaped the political landscape, with Democrats performing better among them, leading to a significant number of Democratic senators in the region.

      Our world is undergoing significant changes in various aspects, from the natural environment to technology and demographics. The How Wild Podcast sheds light on the evolving concept of wilderness and its implications for humans. Meanwhile, the Shortwave Podcast helps listeners navigate the complexities of new technologies. A notable demographic shift is the growing influence of Latino voters, particularly in the Southwest, as seen in the increase in eligible voting population in Arizona and Nevada. This demographic shift has reshaped the political landscape, with Democrats performing better among Latinos than Republicans, leading to a significant number of Democratic senators in the region. It's essential to recognize the importance and diversity within the Latino voting bloc, making it an interesting group to watch in future elections.

    • Latino voter demographicThe Latino voter demographic is diverse and complex, with regional and subgroup differences, and a significant portion of young, fluid voters. Trump's appeal varied, and Harris's nomination may shift Latina voters.

      The Latino voter demographic in the United States is diverse and complex, with significant differences between regions and subgroups. For instance, the Latino population in Arizona and Nevada is more similar to each other than to those in South Florida, where there is a larger Cuban population. Trump's appeal to Latino voters in South Florida, based on anti-communist messaging, was more effective than in the Southwest and West. Additionally, a significant portion of the Latino electorate is young and lacks strong party loyalty, making them more fluid voters. The Latina vote, in particular, was notable for its absence in the 2020 election, with many women sitting it out due to dislike for both Biden and Trump. However, this trend may be shifting as Vice President Harris's nomination has potentially drawn some Latina voters back to the Democratic Party. Trump is focusing on winning over Latino men, who he sees as a potential opening. Overall, understanding the nuances of the Latino voter demographic is crucial for political strategists as they navigate the changing political landscape.

    • Sunbelt demographicsWhite college-educated women and Asian Americans are crucial voting blocs in the Sunbelt region for the upcoming election, particularly regarding abortion rights and mobilization efforts.

      While there have been indications of a shift towards Trump among young Black and Latino men, the evidence is not yet conclusive due to high margins of error in national polls. Instead, demographers suggest keeping an eye on white college-educated women as a significant voting bloc for Democrats, particularly in the context of abortion rights and Harris' efforts to mobilize voters. Another group to watch is Asian Americans, who make up a significant percentage of the eligible voting population in states like Nevada (almost 10%) and Arizona (about 5%), and have already shown influence in the 2020 election in places like Georgia. Overall, the Sunbelt region is diversifying rapidly, making these groups crucial to watch in the upcoming election.

    • Demographics of Georgia and North CarolinaGeorgia and North Carolina's substantial minority populations and educated white voters have contributed to Democrats' success in these closely contested states

      The demographics of the states Georgia and North Carolina, with their significant suburban populations and diversity, have played a crucial role in the attention they've received from the campaigns in the ongoing election cycle. These states, particularly Georgia with about one-third of its population being black voters, and North Carolina with about one-fifth, have substantial minority populations that have helped Democrats perform better. In Georgia, this has resulted in the party having two senators. In North Carolina, the white college-educated voters, who are more likely to lean Democratic, have also been a significant factor. Areas with high concentrations of educated voters, such as Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, have historically contributed to Democrats winning statewide races. These closely contested states have relied on a coalition of minority voters and educated whites to tip the balance.

    • Demographic shifts, Political landscapeDemographic shifts, particularly the growth of White College-educated voters, have significantly impacted election outcomes in certain areas, such as Wake County, North Carolina.

      The political landscape in certain areas, such as Wake County, North Carolina, has shifted significantly over the past two decades. This was highlighted in the 2020 presidential election, where Joe Biden received a large majority of the votes compared to George W. Bush in the same county. This trend can be attributed to the growth of White College-educated voters in the Research Triangle area. This is just one example of how demographic shifts can impact election outcomes. Additionally, on a lighter note, a new podcast from NPR called Wild Card encourages listeners to reflect on how their perspectives have changed over the past 10 years. For instance, some people may have new thoughts on topics like dressing or personal growth. Lastly, NPR Plus offers listeners additional benefits, such as bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes content, sponsor-free listening, and more, across more than 20 NPR podcasts. To access these perks, sign up at plus.mpr.org. Overall, the conversation touched upon political shifts, personal reflections, and podcast perks.

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