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With the presidential election approaching, political engagement has increasing importance. In 2020, Black voters will account for about 12% of the national electorate. But, in some states, the Black population is more politically engaged than in others.
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In a recent study, WalletHub determined the political engagement of Black populations in each state using six metrics: Black voter turnout (2016 presidential election), Black voter turnout (2018 midterm elections), Black voter registration (2016 presidential election), Black voter registration (2018 midterm elections), proportional representation of Black people in state legislature, and proportional representation of Black people in national party conventions. Montana was not included in the study because of data limitations.
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South Dakota has America’s worst overall political engagement in its Black community with a total score of 30.61. It came in tied for 47th in worst Black voter turnout during the 2016 presidential election.
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Home to some of the tiniest towns in America, North Dakota’s political engagement among the Black population did not differ much from that of South Dakota, with a total score of 30.86. It had the lowest Black voter registration of all states included in the survey for the 2016 presidential election.
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Political engagement among Black Americans is not very high in Utah, which had a total score of 33.29. It was one of several states that tied for last in the category of proportional representation, which measured the percentage of black representatives per black population.
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This New England state has a low political engagement among its Black population with a total score of 33.33. It had the worst Black voter turnout in the 2016 election.
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The political engagement among the Black population in West Virginia is low with a total score of 39.01. West Virginia is one of the states tied for the lowest percentage of Black legislative representatives per Black population.
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The Southern state of Tennessee has an African American political engagement score of 39.71. Tennessee is also among the states with the lowest percentage of Black legislative representatives per Black population.
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In Rhode Island, the political engagement among the Black population received a total score of 41.14. Rhode Island has the lowest percentage of Black delegates at the Democratic and Republican conventions per Black population.
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In a state that is mostly known for its beaches, the political engagement among Black citizens in Hawaii is not high with a total score of 41.93.
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Nebraska received a below-average score of 43.24 for the political engagement among the state’s Black population.
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In the Midwestern state of Kansas, political engagement is low among the Black population with a score of 44.
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In New Mexico, political engagement among the state’s Black population received a total score of 44.14.
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In this state in the Pacific Northwest, political engagement among the state’s Black population is not very high with a total score of 44.83.
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Political engagement among Oklahoma’s Black population received a total score of 45.32.
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In this New England state, political engagement among the Black population received a total score of 46.30.
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In Arizona, the political engagement among the Black population received a score of 46.31.
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Alaska earned a total score of 46.62 when it comes to political engagement among its Black population.
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Despite being the state with the highest level of Black voter registration during the 2016 presidential election, Maine scored only a 47.78 for its total level of political engagement among its Black population, ranking it below average.
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Arkansas received a total score of 47.81 when it comes to political engagement among its Black population.
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Political engagement among the state’s Black population received a total score of 48.26. Iowa is also one of the states that have the highest percentage of Black delegates at the Democratic and Republican national conventions per Black population.
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Oregon received a score of 50.73 for the political engagement of its Black population.
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The political engagement among Wyoming’s Black population received a total score of 52.78.
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Political engagement among the Black population in Idaho received a total score of 54.44. Idaho was among the states with the highest Black voter turnout during the midterm elections.
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In Kentucky, political engagement among the state’s Black population scored a 55.72. The state was in the top five for Black voter turnout in the 2016 presidential election, but fell out of the top five during the 2018 midterm elections.
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Louisiana is just outside the top 25 when it comes to Black political engagement with a total score of 62.32. However, when it comes to Creole and Cajun cuisine, Louisiana is one of the best.
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Alabama cracked the top 25 with a total score of 63.14 when it comes to Black political engagement.
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Pennsylvania has many historic sites related to the founding of the U.S., but when it comes to Black political engagement, it sits near the middle with a score of 63.17.
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Michigan is not only one of the best places to retire, but it’s also one of the states where political engagement among the Black population is the highest with a score of 63.65.
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Indiana has a total score of 65.72 when it comes to political engagement among its Black population.
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In Florida, where there are plenty of swimming and snorkeling beaches, political engagement among the Black population received a score of 65.82.
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The Black population of Wisconsin received a political engagement score of 66.01.
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When it comes to political engagement among the state’s Black population, California cracked the top 20 with a score of 68.12.
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North Carolina edged out California when it comes to Black political engagement with a score of 68.63.
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The Empire State scored a 68.73 in terms of political engagement among its Black population.
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Unlike some other states in the New England area, Connecticut has good political engagement among its Black population with a score of 69.24.
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Voting is as American as apple pie, and Colorado had the highest Black voter turnout in the 2016 presidential election. Overall, the state scored a 69.52.
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Nevada has one of the most popular romantic destinations, but it is also one of the states where the Black population is the most politically engaged, scoring a 70.68.
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In a state that borders the nation’s capital, the political engagement among the Black population scored a 70.96.
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In Illinois, the Black political engagement earned a score of 71.14. The state ranked in the top five for Black voter turnout during the 2018 midterm elections.
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Bordering Washington, D.C., Virginia scored a 71.34 for the high level of political engagement among its Black population.
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Texas ranked into the top 10 with a score of 71.96 when it comes to Black political engagement.
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The Southern state of Georgia has great political engagement among its Black population with a score of 71.98.
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Mississippi ranked in the top five for Black voter turnout in both the 2016 presidential election and the 2018 midterms, earning it an overall score of 72.71.
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In New Jersey, the political engagement among the Black population is high, earning the state a score of 72.49.
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Delaware narrowly missed the top five when it comes to Black political engagement, scoring a 72.53.
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The freedom to vote is central to the U.S. democracy and Massachusetts is home to the incredible landmark of the Freedom Trail, which celebrates historically significant sites central to this country’s founding. Massachusetts ranks among the top five with a total score of 72.87 for its Black population’s political engagement.
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Missouri is among the states with the highest percentage of Black legislative representatives per Black population, earning it an overall score of 74.69 and a place in the top four.
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South Carolina is among the states that have the best political engagement from the Black population with a score of 74.90.
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Ohio had one of the highest turnouts of Black voters during the 2018 midterms and scored a 75.23 overall when it comes to political engagement among its Black population.
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Minnesota is the state that has the best political engagement among its Black population with a score of 75.82. Minnesota is one of the states with the highest percentage of black legislative representatives per Black population. For many people, one of the biggest deciding factors in which way they’ll vote is the economy. With the added pressure of the coronavirus pandemic, here is how each state’s economy is faring.
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