Dissertation Abstract:

“No vote, no voice” is a common sentiment expressed among the Black community

surrounding political participation. However, this rhetoric leaves members of the Black

electorate who do not feel their political gains are being met by the current political system out

of the discussion. These same individuals proved pivotal for the sudden decrease in Presidential

turnout amongst Black individuals in the 2016 Presidential elections as well for this dissertation.

Specifically, I seek to provide a modern profile of Black non-voters and posit a theory of racial

group apathy that explains a potential increase in Black non-voting in future presidential

elections. This theory pulls from other theories in political science like political interest, external

efficacy, and political apathy, while also considering how relationships between the Black

electorate and political participation function. I also employ conceptualizations of apathy from

psychology scholars as well as Black nihilism from scholars of Black political thought. To

further explore this phenomenon, I ask three research questions: 1) What is the status of Black

voting and non-voting in 2020? 2) What is the effect of vote capture on Black political

participation? 3) How can a measure of racial group apathy aid in the understanding of Black

political participation? I engage with a quantitative approach to answer these research

questions, which includes pre-existing survey data, an original survey experiment, and a survey

testing a novel measure of racial group apathy. I contend that to remedy a potential rise of Black

non-voting, a new measure that encapsulates the psychological experience that Black voters are

facing. I propose a 7-point measure to best measure racial group apathy within this dissertation

for future research. Broadly, this dissertation seeks to advocate for those members of the Black

electorate who feel disillusioned by electoral politics and seek alternative avenues for political

engagement. Additionally, it seeks to serve as a nexus for Black political thought, psychology,

and political science to craft a space in academia where all members of the Black electorate

are better understood.