The 2024 presidential race is shaping up to be a tight contest between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. While Biden has been leading among registered voters, it is the disengaged voters who could potentially swing the election's outcome. According to recent polls, Trump has gained support from historically disengaged voters, many of whom hail from traditionally Democratic communities.
One such voter is Joe Perez, a 22-year-old Hispanic man from Las Vegas who grew up leaning Republican but supports abortion rights and was turned off by the Capitol rioters on Jan. 6, 2021. Perez, who voted for Trump in 2020, is now intrigued by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s candidacy.
Disengaged voters like Perez are becoming increasingly important in the political landscape as they could decide the election's outcome. These voters are historically infrequent and often overlooked, but their impact could be significant in a close race.
The economy is a major concern for disengaged voters, with many viewing it as poor or fair compared to those who vote regularly. Biden will need to address this issue if he hopes to win these voters back.
Trump's current polling leads are being fueled by disengaged voters, but their support is not guaranteed. These voters could eventually support Biden or stay at home, making them a crucial demographic for both candidates to court.
The 2024 election will be fought on different terrain than the 2020 contest, and reaching these disengaged voters in a changed media environment will be a challenge for President Biden. However, with the right messaging and outreach efforts, he may still have a chance to win them over.