Page 5 - LifelineOct

ELECTION 2010

Appraising the African

American Vote

By Ramon Alexander

FACE Alliance State Director

Florida has roughly 1.6 million registered African American total registered voters. The largest concentrations of AAs
voters, and in 2008 there was a surge of 442,756 African are in the South Florida (19%) and North Florida (18%)
American voters. The surge is defined as those who voted regions. The Florida Panhandle also has several heavily
in 2008 but not 2000 or 2004. Although Florida has 67 populated AA counties. Moreover, just 44% of registered
counties, 1.4 million of African American registrants can AA voters live in precincts that are majority AA.
be targeted by focusing on 18 counties. Florida African
American Caribbean Empowerment Alliance (F.A.C.E.) has Although Hispanics are a larger group in population,
developed a comprehensive model of voter outreach and AAs have larger voter registration numbers and
civic engagement that is effectively building community Democrats currently hold the registration advantage
capacity. over Republicans. One could then make the argument
that progressives lead conservatives in Florida’s voter
African Americans (AA) are the state’s second largest registration. Historically, AAs are relatively conservative
minority ranking behind Hispanics (20.1%). They account for in their personal morality yet more progressive in
20.1% of the voting age population and 13.1% of Florida’s their political engagements – they form the base of
Florida’s progressive leaning voters. The 2008 elections
established the high water mark for performance among
AAs. The National Committee for an Effective Congress
(NCEC) calculates that of the voters who may potentially
drop-off in 2010, African Americans represent 33% (or
the loss of approximately 146,000 surge voters and
potentially 290,000 total African American voters).

F.A.C.E. recognizes that voter outreach and developing
solid voting infrastructure must never cease. Our
outreach and your vote are palpable in every election.
Every election cycle campaigns swoop in and setup
shop for the election. They touch people and raise
their hopes. After which the campaign packs up, taking
resources and abandoning communities until the next
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