Importance Of Black Vote And Midterm Elections

WASHINGTON, DC – Nearly two weeks before Election Day, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies will release a comprehensive analysis documenting the importance of the black vote to the outcome of this year’s balloting. For many years the Joint Center has been the one organization that consistently surveys and reports on African American voters’ opinions with regard to their election candidate preferences and a wide range of policy questions, and it is widely regarded as the nation’s foremost authority on the black electorate. Participating in the release of this report will be prominent political analysts who will share their perspectives and highlight the potential that African Americans have for affecting the outcomes in key races – and thus for determining which party will control the U.S. House and Senate in 2011.

What:	Release of the forthcoming report, Black Voters and Candidates and the 2010 Midterm Elections, followed by a roundtable discussion to examine how the African American vote has been a decisive factor in some recent midterm elections and whether it might do the same this year. This election year is one that falls on a 12-year cycle in which African Americans are geographically situated to have a maximum impact on election outcomes when they are motivated to vote. We will also review the prospects for African American candidates for national and statewide offices in November.
Who:	Dr. David A. Bositis, Senior Political Analyst, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies Dr. Bositis will present his pre-election analysis, Black Voters and Candidates and the 2010 Midterm Elections, focusing on where the African American vote has the potential to affect election outcomes and on the prospects for African American candidates who are seeking national and statewide offices. Dr. Ruy Teixeira, Senior Fellow, The Century Foundation and Center for American Progress Dr. Teixeira is one of the most accomplished political demographers and analysts in the country. He will offer his perspectives on how key voting blocs will impact the outcome of the midterm elections. Ralph B. Everett, President and CEO of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies Leading one of the nation’s preeminent think tanks, Mr. Everett has a grasp of the key policy issues and the challenges facing policymakers. He will moderate the roundtable discussion.
When:	Thursday, October 14, 2010 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Where:	Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies 1090 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20005

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies is one of the nation’s leading research and public policy institutions and the only one whose work focuses primarily on issues of particular concern to African Americans and other people of color. The Joint Center is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year. To learn more, please visit www.jointcenter.org.