Approval Among Black Voters Falls to Mid-Teens in National Surveys

National surveys conducted through spring 2026 show approval among Black voters has declined into the mid-to-low teens. Disapproval has risen above 70 percent in most national polling. Decision Desk HQ and other national tracking surveys recorded approval in the mid-30s shortly after the start of 2025. By early 2026 the figure had fallen into the mid-20s before reaching current levels.

Black unemployment reached 7.3 percent, the highest rate among racial groups and the highest level since 2021. Inflation, energy costs and tariffs tied to the conflict with Iran added financial pressure. A New York Times/Siena poll found that 83 percent of Black Americans disapprove of the current administration's job performance.

The same poll showed 80 percent believe the country is headed in the wrong direction.

It became a federal holiday in 2021. The administration removed Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the National Park Service fee-free calendar for 2026. Officials replaced those dates with other days described as patriotic fee-free days and introduced higher fees for international visitors.

A Northeastern University law professor stated that a president cannot revoke a federal holiday established by Congress.

Callais narrowed voting protections for majority-Black districts. Civil-rights groups have linked the decision to concerns about political representation. Organizers note that economic pressures, policy changes and voting-rights issues now overlap for many voters.

Mobilization efforts are focusing on younger voters who may not immediately connect these developments to daily concerns such as gas prices, healthcare and SNAP benefits.