The latest national poll shows that black voters in states with difficult backgrounds want the federal and state governments to address criminal justice reform.
of poll A survey conducted by BSG on behalf of FWD.us found that 78% of likely voters in Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan support criminal justice reform, including 87% of Democrats and independents. It was found that 82% of Two out of three Republicans also supported criminal justice reform.
These three states are the most competitive areas in this year’s presidential election.
“Black voters across the country recognize the shortcomings of our current criminal justice system, which fails to rehabilitate people, fails to reduce crime, and ignores pressing social issues that remain unrecognized,” said FWD National Initiatives Director. Vice President Lena Karefa Johnson said. .us said in a statement.
“While there is a clear chance for candidates to embrace meaningful reform, rhetorical rhetoric continues to emerge as voters continue to say they support elected leaders who put community safety, family reunification, and justice at the forefront of policy decisions.” It is essential to prioritize action over action.”
Sixty-seven percent of voters, including three in five Republicans, said they believe the criminal justice system needs an overhaul or major reform, but Black voters are less vocal in favor of reform. It was significantly higher.
Twenty-three percent of white voters said reducing incarceration is “very important,” while 43% of black voters said the same.
75% of Black voters said mass incarceration causes many of the problems that lead to unsafe communities, such as homelessness, poverty, drug and mental health problems, compared to 58% of white voters. .
Almost 50 percent of voters said recent criminal justice reform efforts are effective
63% of black voters said not enough is being done.
For LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, these numbers are not surprising given the disproportionate impact the criminal justice system has on Black Americans.
Studies show that black Americans are five times more likely to be stopped without just cause than white Americans. According to , African Americans are incarcerated at more than five times the rate of whites. NAACP. These numbers also impact young Black Americans.
Even though it is occupied only by black children. 14 percent According to the NAACP, they make up 32 percent of children arrested and 42 percent of children detained in the U.S. population.
“For too long, Black communities have borne the brunt of harsh sentences and mass incarceration that harm and destabilize communities and families without making us any safer.” Mr. Brown said. “Black voters have made it clear that we deserve more freedom and justice from our elected officials, and that those efforts are essential to building and investing in safe and prosperous communities.” I understand.”
During his 2020 campaign, President Biden vowed to “strengthen America’s commitment to justice and reform our criminal justice system.”
In April 2023, the Biden-Harris administration will Alternatives, Rehabilitation, and Reentry Strategic Plans The initiative aims to “reduce unnecessary involvement with the criminal justice system and allow police officers to focus on fighting crime.” Support reintegration into society during incarceration. and promote successful reentry. ”
The plan included measures to expand access to health care, ensure access to affordable housing, and create job opportunities.
He has also been praised for pardoning thousands of people convicted of marijuana use and simple possession on federal land and the District of Columbia.
However, he has faced criticism for not fulfilling important campaign promises such as abolishing the death penalty.
Now, advocates are calling on Biden, and the Democratic Party as a whole, to enact meaningful criminal justice reform.
The poll found that six in 10 voters said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supported criminal justice reform.
“The movement to end the failed ‘tough on crime narrative’ has emerged from the communities most devastated by crime,” said Maurice Mitchell, national director of the Working Families Party. “If Democrats want to win, they need to firmly support criminal justice reform. ”
The online survey was conducted from February 13th to 20th. The survey surveyed 1,191 voters nationwide, including an oversample of 273 black voters. The overall margin of sampling error is ±2.84 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
