![]() ![]() The president’s pardon will likely clear the slates of numerous Black people who often face barriers to employment and housing with a conviction on their record. ![]() The number of people affected isn’t large – an estimated 6,500 convicted in federal courts, and a few thousand more in the District of Columbia’s system – but the White House is betting the symbolism and his backing for decriminalization will resonate with the two groups.īlack people are nearly four times as likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than White people, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, despite studies showing the groups use the drug at similar rates. “It was all over their news feeds,” Rocha said.īiden used his presidential authority to announce pardons for thousands of Americans convicted in federal courts of possession of marijuana. Texas Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha recalled how Democrats pinned their hopes on turning around the 1994 midterms on a crime bill that was signed in mid-September.īut the media environment has changed dramatically since then, especially among young voters, who tend to get their information from social media apps like Instagram and TikTok. Historically, last-minute attempts to shift the electorate haven’t worked. The pardons for marijuana possession inspired ‘Dank Brandon’ memes on Twitter, a reference to a fictional alter ego crafted by supporters and digital strategists of Biden, known as “Dark Brandon.” It’s a play on a conservative euphemism for a Biden insult: “Let’s Go Brandon.” On the flip side, a string of legislative victories, including a funding bill with billions of dollars to combat climate change, an issue of concern to young voters, as well as a Supreme Court ruling that overturned abortion rights and stumbles by some Republican candidates, has buoyed Democrats in recent months. ![]() History also isn’t on their side as they hold whisper-thin majorities in the House and Senate and the party in power has almost always lost seats during the midterm elections. The Democrats are fighting an uphill battle after failing to pass key legislation on voting rights and police reform, and given that more voters disapprove than approve of Biden’s job performance. “Sometimes it takes these big splashy announcements to get people’s attention.” “In politics, you’ve got to get the work done, but you’ve also got to let people know that you’re getting the work done,” said Brown, a Charlotte Democrat. That’s because they are tangible steps that voters can easily understand, unlike some of the broader legislation that Biden has signed over the last two years. ![]() Terry Brown said Thursday’s move to pardon people convicted on federal charges of marijuana possession, and an August announcement to forgive student loan debt, would help Democrats. With control of Congress balanced on a knife’s edge, Democrats are hoping to energize those voters again. 8 midterm elections were Black voters, Gen Zers and millennials. But an NPR/Marist poll taken at the end of September shows the least likely respondents to say they were definitely voting in the Nov. In that election, 60% of young people cast their ballots for Biden as did an overwhelming 87% of Black people, according to exit polling data by Edison Research. These voters carried the president to victory in 2020 with near record turnout. ![]()
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