Hometown Voices: Black women voters share issues that matter to them ahead of Super Tuesday

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- In North Carolina, nearly 1.5 million African Americans are registered to vote. Black women represent the largest share of the African American vote, according to State Board of Elections data.

Data shows 700,334 black women are registered Democratic, 15,877 are registered Republican, and 131,327 are registered unaffiliated.

The black vote will be critical for politicians on both sides during the presidential election.

ABC 11 spoke to five black women to get their perspective on the issues influencing their vote. They shared who they voted for ahead of Super Tuesday.

What issues matter to you in 2020?

Health care, education, immigration and public safety made the list of issues that matter most to the voters participating in this discussion.

Karen Clark, a radio personality and a single mom, said immigration was the biggest issue on her mind.

"I couldn't have everything great in my life and know that there are families being separated at the border," Clark said. "It bothers me so much."

Morgan Siegel, owner of Jeddah's Tea, said education for her children was the most important issue to her.

"I think that's the biggest downfall in America is that we're not educating our youth to a standard that we should be," Siegel said.

Other women said they were concerned about health care and public safety.

While Krishana Polite, a state administrator for a nonprofit, said she believes that politicians take their concerns and votes seriously, other participants in the discussion disagreed.

"It frustrates me that the conversation about black women comes up only when it's election time," Clark said.

Jacqueline Wagstaff shares her opinion of politicians eyeing the black woman vote

Wagstaff said she feels her voice is powerful.

Attorney Stephanie Robinson-Alexander said she sees the election as an opportunity to raise issues that matter to her community.

"Now that we can see each other and know the power that we have, what are we going to do with it?" she said.

The discussion took off when asked for whom the women will cast their primary votes. While three said they voted for Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, Siegel said she will vote for Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and Robinson-Alexander said she voted for former Vice President Joe Biden. Polite said she will vote for current President Donald Trump.

Jazmyne Abney and Karen Clark explain why they're voting for Elizabeth Warren

Abney said she voted for Warren because she thought she would appoint the best people for the job.

Krishana Polite explains why she's voting for President Trump

Krishana Polite said she beleives President Trump does what he says he will do.

Stephanie Robinson-Alexander explains why she's voting for Joe Biden

Robinson-Alexander said she would ultimately support whoever wins the Democratic nomination.

Jacqueline Wagstaff explains why she's voting for Elizabeth Warren

Wagstaff said she believes Warren would support women in her presidency.

"I hear a lot of you saying whoever can beat Trump," Polite said. "I'm conservative. I'm proud to be a conservative. I know what I see. Obviously, what I'm seeing is not what you're seeing."

Krishana Polite defends her choice for Trump, Morgan Siegel reacts and shares why she's voting for Bernie Sanders

Polite argued for economic improvement, while Siegel said taxation was not a key issue for her.

Polite also said she believes conversation is the key to progress.

"We do need to come together and have these conversations from different political backgrounds because we do have common ground," Polite said.

Jazmyne Abney explains the importance of voting

Abney said she sees voting as a form of power.

Meet the Participants

Jacqueline Wagstaff (Democrat)

Baby Boomer

Marital Status: Single, 2 adult children

Occupation: Retired

Karen Clark (Democrat)

Generation X

Marital Status: Single, 1 child.

Occupation: Radio Personality

Krishana Polite (Republican)

Generation X

Marital Status: Single, no children

Occupation: State co-administrator of a nonprofit

Stephanie Robinson-Alexander (Democrat)

Millennial

Marital Status: Married, 1 child.

Occupation: Attorney

Morgan Siegel (Democrat)

Millennial

Marital Status: Single

Occupation: Owner, Jeddah's Tea

Jazmyne Abney (Democrat)

Generation Z

Marital Status: Single, no children

Occupation: College Sophomore, North Carolina Central Univ.

Note: First time presidential election voter.

***ABC 11 reached out to additional Republicans to participate in the panel but they either dropped out last minute, or didn't feel comfortable or weren't available.