America Votes

Black Women Are Voting, Running For Office More Than Ever

Author Charity Elder discusses what's behind this growing trend and why Black women are more motivated to vote now than ever before.

Black Women Are Voting, Running For Office More Than Ever
John Bazemore / AP
SMS

Rising costs, abortion rights, crime and education are all major issues driving voters to the polls today — especially Black women.According to a national survey commissioned by the nonprofit organization Higher Heights, 67% of Black women say they're more motivated to vote now than ever before.A majority of Black women surveyed also say more representation is needed in Congress — a shift we're starting to see come to fruition. More than 500 Black women ran for elected office at the federal, state and local level this year.

Stacey Abrams Nominated For Nobel Peace Prize
Stacey Abrams Nominated For Nobel Peace Prize

Stacey Abrams Nominated For Nobel Peace Prize

Other nominees include Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's former adviser.

LEARN MORE

Charity Elder spoke with Newsy "Morning Rush" host Rob Nelson to discuss what's behind this growing trend. Elder is a former senior adviser to Mike Bloomberg's presidential campaign and author of the new book "Power: The Rise of Black Women in America."