Biden Mask Mandate Weakens Support Of African-American Voters - Poll

Umer Jamshaid Published September 22, 2021 | 07:30 PM

US President Joe Biden's imposition of face mask rules for workers in government and private businesses has eroded his backing among African-Americans - one of the most reliable Democratic Party voting blocs, a new Morning Consult poll revealed on Wednesday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd September, 2021) US President Joe Biden's imposition of face mask rules for workers in government and private businesses has eroded his backing among African-Americans - one of the most reliable Democratic Party voting blocs, a new Morning Consult poll revealed on Wednesday.

"Biden is still popular with most Black voters, with 71 percent of them approving of his job performance, including 37 percent who do so strongly. But since Sept. 8, the share who disapprove of Biden's job performance has increased 7 points, to 24 percent, and 14 percent said they 'strongly disapprove,'" a press release explaining the poll said.

The September 8 survey was conducted the day before Biden announced a series of sweeping mask mandates. In the latest September 18-20 survey, 71% of Black voters approve of Biden's job performance, down 5 points since the Federal vaccine mandate, while the share who disapprove rose 7 points to 24%, the release said.

The rise in negative views came almost entirely from unvaccinated Black voters, 38% of whom say they disapprove of Biden's overall job performance, 11 points since before he announced the mandate, while 56 percent approve, down 6 points over that time frame, the release also said.

The release warned that any erosion of Biden's support among African-American voters bodes ill for Democratic Party prospects in next year's midterm congressional elections.

While Black voters, who helped push Biden over the top against former President Donald Trump in key states last year, are unlikely to abandon the Democrats en masse to back Republicans, low turnout from the group could have dire consequences for Democrats in Congress, according to the release.