Kamala Harris’s candidacy as the first Black and South Asian woman to be elected Vice President of the United States was a landmark moment in American politics. Her presence on the ticket in the 2020 election energized many voters of color, especially women and young people, who saw in her a reflection of themselves and their aspirations. Voting groups that worked tirelessly to support Harris’s candidacy, particularly those focusing on communities of color, saw a surge of interest and engagement during that election cycle. Now, as the country moves toward future elections, these groups are still working to keep voters of color engaged and informed, ensuring that their voices remain a powerful force in American politics.
Kamala Harris’s nomination as the Democratic vice-presidential candidate represented a significant moment for representation in American politics. For many, her candidacy signaled a shift toward greater inclusion and diversity in leadership. Harris’s personal story—born to immigrant parents, one from India and the other from Jamaica—resonated deeply with communities of color across the nation. Her success provided inspiration to many who had felt underrepresented in the political arena.
Voting groups and organizations that mobilized around Harris used her candidacy as a tool to highlight issues affecting communities of color, from healthcare disparities to criminal justice reform. Groups like Black Voters Matter, She the People, and the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Victory Fund were particularly active, seeing a notable increase in participation and voter turnout. However, the challenge now is to maintain that momentum in the post-2020 political landscape.
As the excitement of Harris’s historic election fades, many voting groups are focused on maintaining the interest and engagement of voters of color. These communities often face obstacles to voting, including voter suppression tactics, lack of access to polling locations, and disinformation campaigns targeted specifically at minority groups. The task for voting groups today is to continue educating and mobilizing these communities to ensure their voices are heard in future elections.
One of the primary focuses of these organizations is voter education. In 2020, misinformation campaigns, especially on social media, disproportionately targeted communities of color. Voting groups have doubled down on efforts to counter disinformation by providing clear, accurate information about voting rights and election processes. By building trust and fostering informed participation, these organizations hope to prevent the kind of confusion that can suppress voter turnout.
Additionally, grassroots efforts have become crucial in sustaining voter engagement. Many organizations have turned to community-centered approaches, holding town halls, virtual forums, and door-to-door campaigns to connect with voters in a more personal way. These grassroots efforts aim to remind voters of color that their vote is crucial and that the issues they care about are still at stake in every election.
One of the lessons learned from Harris’s candidacy is the power of coalition-building among different minority groups. In 2020, Black, Latino, and Asian American voters all played critical roles in securing key battleground states for the Democratic ticket. Voting groups are now working to solidify these coalitions, understanding that a united front among communities of color can wield significant political power.
Groups like Voto Latino, the AAPI Victory Fund, and others are finding ways to collaborate across racial and ethnic lines, recognizing that many of the issues their communities face—such as immigration reform, economic inequality, and healthcare access—overlap. By working together, these groups aim to build a more inclusive political movement that represents the diverse fabric of American society.
Kamala Harris’s candidacy gave voting groups focused on communities of color a major boost, inspiring increased voter turnout and engagement. But the work did not end with the 2020 election. These organizations continue to face the challenge of sustaining that momentum, fighting voter suppression, and keeping voters of color informed and engaged. Through grassroots efforts, coalition-building, and voter education, these groups remain committed to ensuring that communities of color have a lasting impact on the political landscape of the United States.