Wisconsin’s Crucial Moment: A Call to Action for Black Voter EngagementAhead of the 2024 Presidential Election

The Black community stands poised to play a pivotal role in the 2024 Presidential election…if we show up. It's the latter, part of that sentence, that keeps me up at night. During the day, as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's (NAACP) Wisconsin Civic Engagement State Director, I am exposed to both the barriers of getting Black voters to the polls and the undeniable energy bubbling up from the grassroots level to spur record Black voter turnout.

Wisconsin is a battleground state, but we must understand that the battles encompass more than just who will win the presidency. Any calls to action must include an acknowledgement of the problems that limit more robust Black participation in elections. Address those apprehensions, where possible, and you flip the electoral atmosphere on its head!

Research has found that there are a projected 34.4 million Black eligible voters in the United States. One-in-three of these potential voters live in 2024 battleground states. Working alongside other State Civic Engagement Directors, we all understand that the path to the ballot box is fraught with challenges. The ghosts of both recent and past elections haunt us. We are reminded of systemic obstacles that have historically silenced Black voters. While currently, we are contesting and working through malicious laws put in place to frustrate and deter our participation. Does bottled water, given to a voter standing in manufactured lines on election day, really pose a threat to the integrity of our democracy?

Concerns about election fairness and integrity are more than just abstract worries; they are deeply felt fears rooted in experience. Many in our community are justifiably anxious about potential intimidation at polling places. The threat of attacks or litigation leveled at election workers, are taking their toll, as well. Poll worker shortages are happening across the country. Yet these concerns, run concurrent with the many policy and day-to-day concerns that we are hearing from potential Black voters in our state.

The growing crisis of affordable housing and livable wages have dominated conversations at the doors. While canvassing communities, the issue of rising rents and fleeting homeownership is clearly a pressing concern. Public safety, both local and nationally, feelings of economic instability, student debt uncertainty, and the mounting cost of living have created a perfect storm for apathy and disengagement. For many, the idea of voting can feel distant, irrelevant, or even futile.

During those talks, I appreciate how essential it is to empower individuals to understand that their voices matter and must be heard in political arenas. Using examples of birth and death certificates, I remind them that from cradle to grave, policy decisions have real implications for their lives. Voting is a means to impact those decisions and shape our collective future. I'm honest that change doesn't happen overnight, while stressing that they have a choice in what happens to them. Many of them are listening!

I am motivated by the questions, challenges, and the work to address the needs of Black eligible voters. Increased engagement continues to yield more appreciation of the collective assignment and mission. The Black community must position themselves to secure political, educational, social, and economic equality. Black eligible voters must show up. This crucial moment, in Wisconsin, is not a drill. This is a test of our will and resolve. We are not just fighting for our right to be heard; we are advocating for justice, equity, and a fair chance for all Wisconsinites to thrive.

Michelle Bryant is a State Director in North Carolina, working with the NAACP to mobilize Black voters.