In battleground states like Michigan and Arizona, voters who prioritized climate change helped elect Democratic senators even as Donald Trump won the presidency.
Sachi Kitajima Mulkey reports for Grist.
In short:
- Climate change ranked as the fifth most important issue in 2024 exit polls, nearly doubling its 2020 ranking.
- Democratic Senate candidates in key states gained significant support from climate-focused voters, securing victories despite Republican wins in other races.
- Environmental ballot initiatives, from conservation funding in Louisiana to climate resilience investments in California, passed across the political spectrum.
Key quote:
“Broadly speaking, large majorities of Americans want to take action on climate change, but it is a high priority for very, very few voters.”
— Nathaniel Stinnett, executive director of the Environmental Voter Project
Why this matters:
While climate change was overshadowed by economic concerns in the presidential race, growing voter support for environmental issues is shaping local and state-level policies. These shifts suggest that bipartisan progress on climate action remains possible, regardless of national politics.
For more: Voters prioritize economic issues over climate in 2024 election
