A new national study suggests attacks on voting rights may be producing the opposite of their intended effect: Motivating more Black Americans to become politically active.
The research comes from the Black Opps Coalition, a national initiative of 10 civil rights, labor, and community organizations that studies how to increase Black civic engagement and voter participation.
“Our main goal is to figure out what it will take to activate Black political power when the stakes have never been higher, and the barriers have never been more deliberate,” said Black Opps research manager Danielle Lemi.
Conducted with public opinion firm HIT Strategies, the latest phase of its year-long Black Opps Project examined which messages most effectively inspire Black voters to act ahead of upcoming elections.
The findings show that 64% of Black voters say recent attacks on voting rights and Southern gerrymandering make them more likely to vote in the next midterm election. Researchers also found that 75% of Black voters are now willing to take at least three political actions—including voting, protesting, or boycotting—a 13-point increase from October 2025.
‘Freedom’ resonates more than ‘democracy’
One of the study’s strongest findings is that messaging matters.
Researchers found Black voters respond more strongly to appeals centered on defending Black freedom and voting rights than to broader calls to protect “American democracy.”
According to the survey:
- 75% say defending freedom is urgent.
- 71% say defending voting rights is urgent.
- 63% say defending American democracy is urgent.
Based on those findings, researchers recommend that organizations frame civic engagement around protecting Black freedom and voting rights while emphasizing how government policies directly affect people’s daily lives.
“This is a key moment for defending Black voting rights, and Black voters understand the assignment,” said HIT Strategies CEO Terrance Woodbury.
Woodbury said recent voter suppression efforts have created a “Black-lash,” increasing awareness and political engagement.
“When we frame this as a fight to defend Black freedom and the right to vote, rather than an abstract appeal to ‘democracy,’ Black voters—especially younger ones—are far more likely to act,” he said.
Younger voices motivate younger voters
While Black Gen Z voters are less motivated than older generations to defend democracy, the research found that younger messengers significantly increase engagement. A Gen Z-led video message increased respondents’ likelihood to:
- Vote by 7 percentage points
- Host a voter registration drive by 11 points
- Participate in a boycott by 8 points
The findings suggest organizations hoping to reach younger Black voters should invest in youth-led outreach rather than relying primarily on older spokespeople.
Who Black voters blame
When asked who bears the greatest responsibility for the nation’s democratic decline, respondents most frequently identified:
- Corporations and special interests (83%)
- Donald Trump (82%)
Researchers say understanding those perceptions can help organizations craft messages that connect with Black communities while encouraging civic participation.
“When we frame this as a fight to defend Black freedom and the right to vote, rather than an abstract appeal to ‘democracy,’ Black voters—especially younger ones—are far more likely to act.”
Terrance Woodbury
About the project
The Black Opps Coalition includes the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, NAACP, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Black Economic Alliance, SEIU, Way to Win, March On PAC, Hued Strategies, Onyx Impact, and P68.
The coalition’s year-long Black Opps Project has examined strategies for mobilizing Black voters around economic justice and voting rights through national focus groups, surveys, and message testing designed to identify what most effectively encourages civic action.
