The 2024 Catholic Split In U.S. Elections

Religion has invariably played an important role in American politics, and the presidential election of 2024 is no exception. With the various religious communities throughout the country, American Catholics are growing as one of the major voting blocs that have split along ideological lines, mirroring polarization in the electorate. Indeed, the Catholic Church in America-leading to an exceptionally rich diversification and deep cultural root-has usually been portrayed as a kind of bellwether of American public opinion, often hosting a wide spectrum of political beliefs. We take a closer look at how the Catholic vote is setting up for 2024 and how the candidates address the interests of that influential community.

The Catholic Vote: A Community Divided

Historically, the Catholic community in the United States has been politically diverse, comprising a large portion of both Democratic and Republican voter bases. In recent elections, however, the division is sharply defined. On one hand, many Catholics have rallied to Donald Trump’s advocacy based on conservative social values, primarily his opposition to abortion. Meanwhile, countless Catholics are emerging to take sides with Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party on issues that count, such as social justice, healthcare, and economic disparity.