FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact:
Desiree Diaz
New Survey Shows Potential for Infrastructure Messages to
Drive Voters of Color to the Polls in 2024
Data from Hyphen, People’s Action Institute, and HIT Strategies shows effective communication is the key to empowering voters from Black and brown communities
Washington, D.C. (March 4, 2024) — Today, a new multi-state survey released by Hyphen and People’s Action Institute reveals the opportunity for politicians to engage with lower income communities ahead of the 2024 election. The survey, conducted by HIT Strategies in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, shows that voters of color are more likely to vote in 2024 when they are effectively informed about the federal investments being made in their communities and how it connects to their votes. The survey polled voters of color in Milwaukee, WI and Reading, PA about their attitudes towards landmark infrastructure laws passed under the Biden Administration. The results paint a picture of the electorate who are deeply motivated by improvements to infrastructure in communities that have faced historic underinvestment, and who have a more positive opinion about the power of their vote once given more information about these initiatives.
The survey was conducted as part of the Federal Infrastructure Communications Initiative, a nonpartisan project from Hyphen and People’s Action Institute to research and test the most effective messages for increasing the public’s awareness of equitable federal infrastructure investments. FICI comes on the heels of a series of federal bills including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), that represent a once-in-a-generation, $4 trillion opportunity to support sustainable economic development, mitigate climate change, and advanced communities of color and other underserved populations.
Key survey findings include:
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Voters in these areas are very excited about infrastructure initiatives, especially those that center economic support, equity, and the environment. Initiatives such as ensuring Americans have access to clean water (83% very important), lowering prescription drug prices (78%), rebuilding infrastructure to connect Americans to each other (77%), cleaning up pollution (72%), and creating jobs through clean energy projects (67%) all saw over two-thirds of respondents rate them between 8 and 10 on the importance scale.
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Only 38% of voters in Milwaukee and Reading have heard much about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and only 44% have heard much about the IRA, two landmark laws that could impact the landscape of American communities and lives over the coming decades.
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Once voters are informed about the BIL and IRA, their opinions are more positive, they feel that their vote has more power, and they report being more likely to vote in 2024. By the end of the survey, 59% of voters think the laws will have a positive impact on their community (23% increase). Nearly all demographics report feeling that their vote has more power by the end of the survey, with noticeable jumps among voters ages 18-29 (19% increase in vote power), white voters in Reading (13% increase in vote power), and independents (7% increase in vote power).
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Messaging that focuses on voter power and equity works best. When voters are told that BIL and IRA are a direct result of their votes, when they are empowered to continue to stay involved to hold politicians accountable, and make sure there is follow through, they become engaged with the messaging.
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Voters want to get involved, but public officials need to make that process accessible for people. Voters express wanting to get involved in infrastructure advocacy, but report barriers to civic engagement. Many think that community meetings or engagement processes are not properly advertised or communicated, and that opportunities are often scheduled during inconvenient times for parents and those who work. Further, they worry that as people of color, they are not listened to when they report issues or attempt to engage with the community. Public officials need to proactively make the process of civic engagement more accessible in order for people to get involved with the BIL and IRA.
“There is a narrative right now that communities of color are not buying the achievements of the Biden Administration, yet this survey shows that their opinions are more nuanced,” said Archana Sahgal, Hyphen founder and President. “The survey shows that once they know the Administration is working on the most important issues for their communities, they are willing and eager to use their voice to determine the futures of their communities for themselves.”
“Investing in infrastructure is a winning message in communities of color,” said HIT Strategies founding partner Terrance Woodbury. “This groundbreaking survey shows the path for politicians to highlight infrastructure improvements by focusing on empowering communities and connecting their votes with the progress they’re seeing in their neighborhoods. The policies in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act are widely popular, and represent an opportunity for politicians to grow support in communities of color."
“Voters need to know that their most pressing needs are being met. This means showing what this funding will do for racial equity, the environment, and most importantly, the economy,” People’s Action Institute Senior Strategist Ann Pratt said.
For more information on the Federal Infrastructure Communications Initiative and the survey results, visit Hyphenpartnerships.org.
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About Hyphen
Hyphen is a first-of-its-kind, women-led organization accelerating structural change for millions of Americans and people of color. Leveraging over $420 million in funding through federal policies like the American Rescue Plan, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act, Hyphen catalyzes philanthropic leadership and investment to maximize the benefits of these policies for low-income families, communities of color, and other marginalized populations. Hyphen’s work strengthens public safety, expands economic opportunity and safety-net programs, and ensures equitable outcomes from infrastructure rebuilding. The organization collaborates with federal agencies, philanthropic groups, state and local governments, and nonprofits to drive progress forward and pave the way for a more equitable future. Learn more at www.hyphenpartnerships.org.
About People’s Action Institute
People’s Action Institute engages in issue campaigns, public education and training to advance a long-term agenda for racial economic and gender justice. Over five decades, its affiliates have fought for reforms that recognize poor and working people’s dignity and make material and political improvements to millions of lives. PAI is now investing in our movement’s most precious resources: the capacity and leadership of people and their ability to truly connect to one another. Learn more at www.peoplesactioninstitute.org.