United States: Gaza, the war against Iran and Islamophobia weighed on the Muslim vote

Gaza, the war with Iran and the cost of living largely influenced Muslim voters in the US midterm elections, according to a poll released by CAIR and CAIR Action. Among those who voted, 80% chose Democrats, compared to 6% the Republicans. CAIR, or Council on American-Islamic Relations (Council on American-Islamic Relations), is an American organization defending the civil rights of Muslims. It fights in particular against discrimination and Islamophobia and intervenes in the public debate on issues affecting Muslim communities.

In this survey, the genocide in Gaza appears to the fore: 80% of respondents say that it strongly influenced their vote. The war waged by the United States and Israel against Iran also weighed in the choice of 76% of respondents. For many, voting was a way of demanding an end to the war in Gaza and opposing a broader conflict in the Middle East. Daily concerns also occupy an important place. Eight out of ten people surveyed say that the economic situation strongly influenced their decision. Lower costs of living and better economic prospects are among their main expectations.

The rise of Islamophobia has also encouraged mobilization: 70% of respondents say it pushed them to vote. Another important motivation is the defense of civil rights and religious freedom. This massive support for Democrats does not, however, mean total confidence. A third of respondents believe that neither major party is more responsive to the concerns of American Muslims. A result which reminds us that their votes are not acquired.

The survey was conducted from November 2 to 4 among 522 registered voters identifying as Muslim. These results describe the responses of this sample and should not be confused with those of the American Muslim electorate as a whole.