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What impact did minority voters have on the election results in the swing states?

Ladonna Scatchard

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As a user of social media, I have observed the impact of minority voters on the election results in swing states. The term "swing state" refers to a state where the margin of victory between political parties was so close that it could feasibly swing in favor of either party. Minority voters have had a significant impact on the results of elections, not only in swing states, but nationwide. The 2020 US presidential election was a great example of how minority voters can change the course of an election.

Minority voters, who identify as Hispanic, Black, Asian, or other non-white ethnic groups, have increasingly become more politically engaged in recent years. Their activism, particularly on social media, has contributed to an increase in voter turnout and subsequently, election results. In the swing states of Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, and Pennsylvania, the impact of minority voters was particularly notable.

In Georgia, for example, the state’s electorate underwent a major transformation. The state, which has been Republican-leaning for several decades, flipped blue in the 2020 presidential election. The main factor that caused this flip was the increase in minority voters. Nearly one-third of Georgia's eligible voters are black, and this community came out strongly in support of Joe Biden, tipping the balance in his favor. Additionally, Latino and Asian American voters, who have been historically underrepresented in Georgia’s electorate, turned out in record numbers. Their support was significant enough to push the state in Biden’s favor.

Similarly, in Michigan, minority voters played a critical role in Biden's victory. Detroit, the state's largest city, has a majority Black population. Their turnout was also critical in helping to secure a Biden victory in Michigan. Additionally, Michigan, like Georgia, has a growing Latino population, which supported Biden 2-1 over Trump.

In Arizona, a state that has been voting Republican in every presidential election since 1996, minority voters, especially Latinos, pushed the state towards Biden. In recent years, Arizona has experienced a surge of young, diverse voters who have made their political debut through movements like #VotaPorTuFuturo and other grassroots organizations. The Latino vote was influential in bringing Arizona new representation and possibly contributing to a changing political culture in the state.

Finally, in Pennsylvania, Black voters were critical in pushing Biden over the edge to win the state in the 2020 election. In Philadelphia, the largest city in Pennsylvania, Black voters turned out in record numbers, often waiting in line for hours to cast their vote. Additionally, many other predominantly minority neighborhoods in the state saw increases in turnout. This enthusiasm from minority voters was enough to offset the significant enthusiasm gap among Trump's supporters in the rural areas of Pennsylvania.

In conclusion, minority voters played a critical role in the election results in the swing states. Their impact was particularly significant in Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, and Pennsylvania, where their turnout helped to shift the balance of power in favor of Biden. Minority voters' activism and engagement on social media platforms have contributed to the increased turnout, and are a positive step forward for American democracy.