2020 Electorate
Critical Analysis
In this year’s election, what is projected to be the largest minority group in the U.S. electorate?
What is the most important trend you see in the data?
Explain one cause of that trend?
What is one political consequence of that trend?
Hispanics are NOT a monolithic voting group. Like most ethnic groups, some Hispanics are conservative, some are liberal, some are moderate. Overall, about 1/3 of Hispanics voted for Trump in 2016, and although Hispanics, overall, lean towards a certain political party affiliation, how do you think they will vote in 2020?*
In this year’s. election Whites will make up only 2/3 of all voters. If the trends depicted in the chart continue, in what year do you predict that Whites will no longer be a majority of the electorate?
How will White minority impact US politics?
Whites are one of the only groups that consistently vote Republican. As the White majority declines, some Republicans have advocated embracing policies that will attract minorities, other Republicans have advocated suppressing minority votes. Which side of the argument do you think has won and which do you think is a better long-term strategy?
Fun Fact: in 2020 there will be more Generation Z voters* (that’s you-ish) than Silent Generation voters (that’s your grandparents-ish). How will this impact the outcome of the 2020 presidential election?
Fun Fact: in 2020, 10% of all voters will be non-native-born (born outside of the U.S.). What?!?!?!?! How will this impact the outcome of the presidential election?
If you were a political operative for the Democratic Party, how would that changes depicted in the data (above and below) impact your decision of what presidential candidate to endorse?
Explain whether you think we will have a Hispanic president or a female president first (it could be both at the same time).
Learning Extension
Check out these wicked cool interactive maps of the demographics of the 2020 US electorate from the fine folks at Pew.
Action Extension
Check out Can I vote to find out about the voting rules are in your state. Make a voting plan for you and your family!