September 27, 2024
September 27, 2024

In recent years, and especially during critical election seasons, identity politics have become a big part of American political discourse, with both Democrats and Republicans leveraging issues of race, gender, and class to engage voters and adopt identity-driven platforms to appeal to specific voting blocs. Vice President Kamala Harris’s entry as a female, mixed-race candidate has brought up questions about whether focusing on identity is distracting us from the issues at hand. Those who don’t think so argue that voters from diverse backgrounds want to see their unique concerns addressed, and identity politics offers a pathway for inclusion, representation, and empowerment for groups that have been historically sidelined. Those who think it is holding us back argue it distracts from broader policy discussions, prevents constructive dialogue on solutions that benefit everyone, and risks alienating large segments of the electorate who may feel excluded from the conversation.

As voters are deciding who to vote for, we debate the question: In the 2024 Presidential Election, Are Identity Politics Holding Us Back?

Breakdown

BIGGEST SHIFT

Undecided
0%
Undecided
Change in voter behavior
0% - Swung from the Side
0% - Remained Undecided
0% - Swung from the Side
ARGUING NO
0%
ARGUING NO
Change in voter behavior
0% - Remained on the Side
0% - Swung from the Side
0% - Swung from Undecided
ARGUING YES
0%
ARGUING YES
Change in voter behavior
0% - Swung from the Side
0% - Remained on the Side
0% - Swung from Undecided
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
3

Have an idea for a debate or have a question for the Open to Debate Team?

DEBATE COMMUNITY
Join a community of social and intellectual leaders that truly value the free exchange of ideas.
EDUCATIONAL BRIEFS
Readings on our weekly debates, debater editorials, and news on issues that affect our everyday lives.
SUPPORT OPEN-MINDED DEBATE
Help us bring debate to communities and classrooms across the nation.