Black Women In Georgia

The Political Power Landscape: Black Women

Black Women Are A Voting Powerhouse

16 million Black women are eligible to vote in the United States, and 67% of those women are registered.

6.8% of the US population is composed of black women. Yet, only 8 black women currently hold a statewide office, and a total of 20 have ever held a statewide office. Although more Black women are serving in state legislatures, we hold just 366 of the countries 7,383 state legislative seats.

However, studies have shown that black women represented major shifts in support in some of the most fierce electoral campaigns. Data collected from campaigns that span the 21st century shows that the support of black women is an incredibly valuable asset for any candidate to have on their side. To increase their representation in public office, there need to be more candidates ready to mobilize them.

Black Women Vote

Voting Milestones

94% of Black women voters supported Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election, and 96% of Black women voted for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, providing the margin he needed to win two presidential terms. Furthermore, 90% of black women voted for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in 2020 securing the administration’s win.

These elections are seen as some of the most pivotal that our country has ever seen in the history of our democracy, and what they all have in common is that black women represented a driving force at the polls.

The GA Voting Shift

Representation In Chambers of Power

Black women severely lack representation in our country's civic power structure. Despite being 7.6% of the population, black women account for only 4.9% of all House members and none in the U.S. Senate. Only eight black women presently hold statewide office, with a total of 20 having previously held statewide office. Meanwhile, even though the fact that there are more black women in state legislatures, they only hold 366 of the country's 7,383 state legislative seats. In our country's history, no black woman has ever served as governor.

Setting the Stage: Black Women Rise

Our first black, female Vice President is a win for representation. However, representation is a concern that must extend to seats on every level of government. The fight for equity must begin with local and state offices right here in the state of Georgia.

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