Georgia’s Silent Voters: How Poverty Could Shape the 2024 Presidential Race
In a critical battleground state where every vote counts, those who don’t cast ballots might actually determine who wins the White House in 2024. As Georgia emerges as a key player in the upcoming presidential election, a striking pattern is emerging: poverty could be the invisible force shaping voter turnout.
Both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are fiercely competing for Georgia’s electoral votes, investing substantial resources in the state. But beneath the surface of typical campaign strategies lies a more complex story—one about citizens whose voices often go unheard.
“When you are sleeping in a hotel and not sure where your next meal is coming from and your car has been seized, voting is not high on the list of priorities,” explains Sabrina Friday, founder and executive director of Mother’s Nest, a nonprofit organization in Macon that supports struggling families.
The numbers tell a compelling story. While 2020 saw record-breaking voter turnout nationwide, with over 150 million Americans casting ballots, more than 75 million eligible voters stayed home. In Bibb County alone, approximately 47,000 eligible voters didn’t participate in the election.
Behind these statistics lies a stark reality. According to AP VoteCast data, nonvoters in 2020 were more likely to be
- Poor
- Young
- Less educated
- Unmarried
- Minorities
The impact is particularly noticeable in Bibb County, where
- Over 60% of residents are minorities.
- More than 60% are unmarried.
- 40% are under the age of 30.
- Nearly half have only a high school education.
- 60% of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals
Kathy McCollum, president of the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank, reports an 18.5% poverty rate across the 24 counties her organization serves. While food donations continue from various sources, financial support has dropped significantly since the pandemic peak in 2020.
The barriers to voting for low-income residents are numerous and complex. Some face challenges due to past involvement with the criminal justice system. Others struggle with childcare and transportation issues. For those with unstable housing, even early voting can be complicated due to address requirements.
Linda Solomon, a 58-year-old resident living on Social Security disability, represents many who have become disillusioned with the political process. “My circumstances remained unchanged despite numerous administrations,” she clarifies, relying on food pantries and local organizations for financial sustenance.
Both campaigns are working to reach these potential voters. Janiyah Thomas, a Trump campaign official, reports focusing on low-propensity voters through traditional canvassing, social media, and community outreach. The Harris campaign maintains a Macon office with six full-time staff members dedicated to engaging lower-income communities through door-to-door outreach.
LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, contends that more fundamental changes are necessary. “The stock market and unemployment numbers are not an indicator of how well people are doing,” she says, emphasizing the need to address basic economic issues like food costs and housing to engage disenfranchised voters.
As Georgia prepares for another potentially close election, the question remains: Will campaigns find ways to effectively reach and motivate these silent voters? The answer could determine who occupies the White House in 2025.
In 2020, Joe Biden won Georgia by fewer than 12,000 votes, highlighting how critical every vote—and every non-vote—can be. As both campaigns intensify their efforts in this crucial battleground state, they face not just the challenge of winning votes but of convincing citizens that voting itself matters to their daily lives.