The Kentucky Republican was asked by a reporter what his message is to voters of color who are "concerned" that they won't be able to vote in the midterm election.
"Well, the concern is misplaced because if you look at the statistics, African-American voters are voting in just as high a percentage as Americans," McConnell said in response.
"A recent survey, 94 percent of Americans thought it was easier to vote," he continued. "This is not a problem. Turnout is up, biggest turnout since 1900. It's simply — they're being sold a bill of goods."
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McConnell's phrasing was poorly received by Democrats, who insisted that he meant "other" Black people as non-American.
He presumably meant that African Americans vote at the same rates as Americans overall, which is true.
In 2008 and 2012, the years Barack Obama was running for President, Black turnout actually exceeded turnout for all Americans. In 2016 and 2020, Black turnout was consistent with the U.S. average.
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The 2020 election had some of the highest turnout of all time for all demographics. In that election, 72.6% of non-Hispanic Whites cast their vote, 65.6% of non-Hispanic Blacks cast their vote. Voting was much lower for Hispanics, of whom 52.6% participated in the election. Among other races (Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, etc.) 59.9% cast a vote, according to figures from the United States Election Project.
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In both 2008 and 2012, more Black Americans turned out to vote than White Americans - 65.2% of White voters turned out in 2008 versus 69.1% black, and 61.8% white in 2012 vs. 67.4%.
"The othering of Americans who aren't White was never a 'quiet part,' it has always been loud and painful for everyone who has experienced it," Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. wrote on Twitter, citing the clip of McConnell's remarks.
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"Please take 19 seconds to watch this video to understand why we have to fight for voting rights for ALL Americans, and why we have to stop the xenophobia, bigotry, racism, and partisanship that assumes only some people are American," Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., also wrote on Twitter.
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"This is modern-day racism in full view. Being American isn't synonymous with being white. #MitchPlease," wrote Rep. Donald McEachin, D.-Va.
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"THIS IS DISGUSTING: To defend his stance against voting rights, Mitch McConnell is citing 'statistics' that 'African-American voters are voting in just as high a percentage as Americans.' African-American voters ARE AMERICANS & to suggest otherwise is about as racist as it gets!" said Rep. Diana DeGettem D-Colo.
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