Know Who You're Voting For

Ahead of 2024, the National Urban League has developed a comparative analysis of the civil rights records and commitments of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris versus former President Donald Trump and Vice-Presidential nominee J.D. Vance. The National Urban League has a longstanding history of evaluating presidential candidates and administrations, most recently highlighted in our ‘Evaluation for Progress Report on the Biden-Harris Administration’, released as part of our 2024 State of Black America report.

Serving as a complement to that comprehensive report, this guide presents an analysis conducted by the National Urban League’s Washington Bureau. Our evaluation considered the candidates' policy records, public statements, and policy platforms. This document aims to:

1. Provide an overview of the two presidential tickets, including background information on the candidates
2. Highlight the impact of former policy positions and actions on the communities served by the Urban League movement
3. Assess policy platforms for each of the candidates with a focus on how those policies advance civil rights
4. Inform and equip stakeholders with critical insights to support the ongoing fight for racial equity and social justice.

The Biden-Harris Ticket

The Biden-Harris presidential ticket, first elected in November 2020, represents a significant moment in American history from a civil rights perspective. Joseph R. Biden, Jr., who prior to his presidency was a long-serving U.S. Senator and former Vice President under Barack Obama, brings decades of legislative experience and a track record of supporting civil rights initiatives. Vice President Kamala D. Harris has a career centered around justice, served as Attorney General of California where she enforced civil rights laws and served as a U.S. Senator. Harris is a historical figure in American politics as the first woman, the first Black woman, and the first person of South Asian descent to hold the office. 

Civil Rights Background

Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

Legislative Record: Biden has been a vocal advocate for civil rights throughout his career. He played a crucial role in the passage of key legislation, including the Violence Against Women Act and the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act.

Advocacy: Biden’s commitment to civil rights includes efforts to address systemic racism, support for affirmative action, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. He has repeatedly stated his belief that “the most dangerous threat to our homeland is white supremacy” and, as president signed the first-ever ‘Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government’ which directed all federal agencies to deliver equitable outcomes and foster an inclusive and prosperous American for all.

Kamala D. Harris

Legislative Record: Harris’ legislative record is marked by her strong advocacy for criminal justice reform and protecting civil rights and civil liberties, including her work as a lead sponsor of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which aims hold law enforcement accountable by addressing systemic racism and police misconduct.

Advocacy: Harris’ work reflects a steadfast commitment to advancing civil rights and equity. She has been a strong advocate for economic justice, supporting policies aimed at boosting minority small businesses and wealth creation. She has also championed reproductive healthcare access, striving to protect and expand women’s rights to comprehensive healthcare services.

For more information on the Biden-Harris administration’s civil rights record, view the National Urban League’s ‘Evaluation for Progress Report on the Biden-Harris Administration’.

The Trump-Vance Ticket

The Trump-Vance presidential ticket is a stark contrast to the Biden-Harris ticket. Both former Donald Trump and J.D. Vance have gained attention for their positions on various social and political issues, often sparking debate about the impact of those positions on civil rights. Trump, the 45th President of the United States, is a businessman and media personality known for his polarizing and incendiary rhetoric, which has often been criticized for undermining civil rights and social justice efforts.

In May 2024, Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection with hush money payments made to his alleged mistresses during his 2016 presidential campaign. For one and a half years, Vance has served as the junior U.S. Senator from Ohio. He is the author of “Hillbilly Elegy,” and he is known for his commentary on the struggles of the white working class and his critique of what he refers to as the liberal elite.

Donald Trump

Legislative Record: during his tenure as president, Trump focused on strict immigration policies, such as the travel ban and family separations, and an emphasis on law and order, including efforts to limit police reform. He signed the First Step Act, a criminal justice reform measure aimed at reducing recidivism and improving prison conditions. The legislation was championed by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including key lead sponsors Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). Despite this act, Trump’s administration saw the rollback of several civil rights advances, including protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and challenges to voting rights expansions. These actions have been widely criticized for undermining civil rights.  

Advocacy: Trump’s advocacy and rhetoric has often been criticized as racist, with several high-profile incidents illustrating this perception. Following the violence white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017, Trump faced widespread condemnation for stating that there were “very fine people on both sides,”a remark seen as equating white supremacists with anti-racism counter-protestors.

In 2019, he attacked the city of Baltimore, calling it a “disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess,”a comment many interpreted as racially changed against the predominately Black city. Similarly, Trump’s law-and-order rhetoric during protests in Milwaukee and other cities following the murder of George Floyd often targeted Black Lives Matter activists and was seen as dismissive of the systemic racism in law enforcement being protested.

Conversely, his repeated reluctance to unequivocally condemn white supremacists, notably during a presidential debate in 2020 where he told the white supremacist terrorist organization ‘Proud Boys’ to “stand back and stand by,”further cemented his reputation for enabling racist ideologies.

James David “J.D.” Vance 

Legislative Record: albeit brief, Vance’s legislative record is marked by efforts to limit diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which he has stated he views as divisive. He co-sponsored the ‘Dismantle DEI Act’, which aims to eliminate all federal DEI programs and funding for federal agencies, contractors, and educational institutions. He has supported legislation that critics argue promotes hate and division, such as opposing the teaching of Black history in schools and resisting federal mandates for racial sensitivity training.

Advocacy: due to his legislative efforts and public statements, Vance’s advocacy has been criticized as anti-civil rights. When asked about ‘Project 2025’, the right-wing policy agenda rooted in white supremacist ideology, Vance stated that he believed it was full of “good ideas.”

In Their Own Words

By examining the candidates’ public statements on key policy issues that matter to the civil rights community, we gain insight into the priorities and values of each presidential ticket.

ON VOTING RIGHTS…

“Democracy is strongest when everyone participates and it is weaker when people are left out.” – Vice President Kamala Harris, White House Briefing

“STOP THE COUNT!”– Former President Donald Trump, The 2020 Election

ON WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH…

“The government should never come between a woman and her doctor. Never.”– Vice President Kamala Harris, White House Briefing

“It’s not whether a woman should be forced to bring a child to term, it’s whether a child should be allowed to live, even though the circumstances of that child’s birth are somehow inconvenient or a problem to the society.” – U.S. Senator J.D. Vance, On Rape and Reproductive Rights

ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI)…

“The DEI agenda is a destructive ideology that breeds hatred and racial division. It has no place in our federal government or anywhere else in our society.” – U.S. Senator J.D. Vance, Statement on Diversity

“We need to keep an open door of opportunities. We need to remember that diversity is our strength.” – President Joe Biden, White House Briefing

ON HEALTHCARE ACCESS…

“We have to repeal and replace Obamacare…It is a disaster.” – Former President Donald Trump, Speech on Healthcare

“On my watch, health care is a right, not a privilege in this country.” – President Joe Biden

On Defeating Poverty, Defending Democracy, and Demanding Democracy

The National Urban League’s ‘D3’ campaign focuses on three core pillars: Defend Democracy, Demand Diversity, and Defeat Poverty. The 2024 presidential tickets were evaluated on their past record and proposed policy platforms across each of these pillars. 

The Candidates on D3