Overview of Code Switch — Black voters could decide the midterms. Why are they being ignored?
This Code Switch episode examines why Black voters — especially younger Black men — are still being treated as an afterthought by both major parties, even though they can be decisive in close elections. NPR’s Gene Demby and B.A. Parker speak with journalist Eugene Daniels about his reporting in Cleveland and Detroit, where he found a mix of neglect, shallow outreach, and voter suppression dynamics that help explain why many Black voters feel ignored, under-resourced, or taken for granted.
Key Takeaways
- Black voters are often reached in the worst ways: lectured at, pandered to, or ignored entirely.
- Campaigns frequently assume the Black vote is automatic, especially for Democrats, instead of treating it as something that must be earned.
- Apathy is only part of the story — disenfranchisement, voter-roll purges, and weak community engagement also play major roles.
- Younger Black voters are less likely to see voting as the only path to change, and many are more focused on practical, immediate issues like rent, gas prices, healthcare, and safety.
- Older Black voters remain crucial because they are more consistent voters, but even they may leave races blank if they feel unseen or unconvinced.
Reporting From Cleveland: Ignored, Not Just Uninspired
No one was knocking on doors
Daniels says one of the most striking things he found in Cleveland was that many Black voters weren’t even being contacted by campaigns, despite Ohio being a competitive state.
- Some young Black men said no one had ever explained how or why to vote to them.
- One man in his 20s said he had simply never gotten into voting and was open to being convinced.
- Another voter, recently out of prison, cared deeply about criminal justice but had never connected his concerns to policy or candidates.
Ohio’s voter-roll rules
Daniels highlights Ohio’s strict “use it or lose it” system:
- If you don’t vote often enough, you can be removed from the rolls.
- That means people can be doubly disenfranchised: first by being ignored, then by being dropped from registration.
Reporting From Detroit: Black Voters Still in Play
The Senate race is closer than it should be
In Detroit, Daniels found that Black voters were still very much up for grabs in a race Democrats expected to control more comfortably.
- Older Black voters were not automatically enthusiastic about the Democratic candidate.
- Some voters were leaving the Senate race blank rather than voting for the Republican.
- Campaigns were still fighting for Black support late in the race, which suggests the coalition is less secure than many assume.
Why some Detroit voters were hesitant
Daniels points to several factors:
- Historic tension between Black and Arab communities in the Detroit area.
- Frustration over the 2024 uncommitted movement, which some Black voters remember clearly.
- Skepticism toward a candidate seen as very progressive, especially among older voters who prefer more familiar politics.
Why Some Black Voters Feel Left Behind
It’s not just “moving right”
The episode pushes back on the idea that young Black men are simply becoming conservative.
Daniels argues that many are not “moving right” so much as:
- feeling forgotten by both parties,
- looking for real-world solutions, and
- willing to try something different if the usual political promises have failed.
Political power is not the only kind of power
Younger voters often see change happening through:
- mutual aid,
- community care,
- local organizing,
- and direct action outside the electoral system.
For many, politics looks slow, bureaucratic, and disconnected from daily life.
The Problem With “Vote Because You Have To” Messaging
Shame doesn’t convince people
The hosts and Daniels agree that guilt-based appeals often fall flat.
Instead of persuading people, messages like:
- “People died for your right to vote,” or
- “You have to take your place”
can sound preachy, distant, or condescending.
Meet people where they are
A better approach, Daniels suggests, is to connect voting to what people already care about.
A memorable example from the episode:
- One voter compared voting to a video game power-up — something that helps you level up and improve your situation.
- That framing made more sense to him than moralizing from politicians or older relatives.
Bigger Lesson: Engagement Has to Be Real and Year-Round
Campaigns can’t show up late
The episode emphasizes that meaningful outreach requires:
- time,
- money,
- trust,
- and a long-term relationship with the community.
You can’t “bounce up” a few months before an election and expect automatic loyalty.
Black voters want to be seen
The broader takeaway is that many Black voters — especially younger ones — are not disengaged because they don’t care. They’re disengaged because they feel:
- unseen,
- overpoliced,
- under-served,
- and not meaningfully courted.
Final Thought
The episode argues that Black voters are not a monolith and not a guaranteed bloc. They are being asked to save elections while often being given the least attention. If campaigns want their votes, they need to stop assuming loyalty, stop relying on guilt, and start making a real case rooted in everyday life.