The Power of the Muslim Vote

The American Muslim community represents a growing electoral force, with an estimated 3.45 million Muslims in the U.S., approximately 1% of the population. In battleground states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, the Muslim vote has the potential to tip the scales in critical elections. A 2020 study by the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) reported that over 80% of registered Muslim voters turned out for the presidential election, emphasizing the impact we can have when we mobilize.

Growing Representation: Muslim Elected Officials in the U.S.

Over the last few years, the number of Muslims elected to public office has surged. According to a 2023 report by Jetpac and CAIR, more than 170 Muslims hold elected office across the U.S., with positions ranging from city councils to the U.S. Congress. This significant increase highlights the growing political engagement and influence of the Muslim community. Here are some key officials leading the way:

Federal Level:

Ilhan Omar (D-MN): U.S. Representative for Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, a trailblazer advocating for immigration reform, social justice, and Palestinian rights.
Rashida Tlaib (D-MI): U.S. Representative for Michigan’s 12th District, known for her activism on Palestinian justice and working-class issues.
Andre Carson (D-IN): U.S. Representative for Indiana’s 7th District, focused on national security, healthcare, and education reform.

State and Local Level:

Abdullah Hammoud: Mayor of Dearborn, Michigan, leading one of the most politically active Muslim communities in the country.
Iman Jodeh: Colorado House of Representatives, the first Muslim lawmaker in the state, advocating for affordable housing and healthcare.
Nida Allam: Durham County Commissioner, North Carolina, a passionate advocate for environmental justice and economic equity.
Zulfat Suara: Nashville Metro Council, the first Muslim woman elected in Tennessee, pushing for affordable housing and fiscal responsibility.
Sam Baydoun: Wayne County Commissioner, Michigan, advocating for infrastructure improvements and services for the elderly.
Shahana Hanif: New York City Council, the first Muslim woman elected to the council, focusing on housing rights, immigrant protections, and disability advocacy.
Shukri Olow: King County Council, Washington, the first Somali Muslim woman elected to the council, focusing on community development and youth engagement.
Omar Fateh: Minnesota State Senator, representing District 62, working on progressive policies related to education and labor rights.
Salman Bhojani: As a member of the Texas House of Representatives, Salman Bhojani focuses on improving public education, healthcare, and economic development in his district while championing diversity and inclusion.
Suleman Lalani: A physician and Texas state representative, Suleman Lalani advocates for affordable healthcare, senior services, and environmental sustainability, representing the growing voice of Muslim leadership in Texas.
Abdulnasser Rashid: A dedicated community organizer and policy expert, Abdulnasser Rashid serves in the Illinois General Assembly, advocating for working families and equitable policies.
Nabeela Syed: Nabeela Syed made history as one of the youngest Muslim women elected to the Illinois State Legislature, championing social justice, healthcare reform, and civil rights.
Sheikh Rahman: Elected as the first Muslim in the Georgia State Senate, Sheikh Rahman represents District 5. He is an advocate for immigrant rights, healthcare access, and economic development, making him a trailblazer for Muslim political representation in Georgia.
Nabila Islam: Recently elected to the Georgia State Senate for District 7, Nabila Islam is a progressive advocate focused on healthcare reform, economic justice, and workers’ rights. She is one of the youngest and most vocal Muslim women in Georgia politics, representing a new generation of political leadership.

*Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all Muslim candidates and representatives across the U.S. With each edition, we will continue to spotlight more Muslim leaders, both at the state and local levels, who are making impactful contributions to their communities. If you know of a Muslim leader or candidate who should be featured, please reach out to us, and we’d be happy to highlight their work in future editions.

Spotlight on Strong Muslim Political Communities

What Can You Do?

Get Registered: Ensure you and your family are registered to vote. If you’ve recently moved, double-check your voter registration status. Use our tool below to get started.
Stay Informed: Follow credible news sources and platforms to learn more about candidates and their positions on key issues.
Organize: Join or create a local voter registration drive in your mosque or community center.
Advocate: Meet with elected officials and let them know what matters to you, whether it’s healthcare, Palestine, education, or civil rights.

Gaza is our red line because its people have been living under an Israeli blockade since 2007, cut off from essential resources—food, water, electricity—while the world watches in silence.This is not a conflict; it’s a humanitarian catastrophe.

Gaza is our red line because more than 2 million Palestinians live trapped in what has been called the world’s largest open-air prison, denied freedom of movement, economic opportunity, and basic human dignity. And the response from many global leaders, including Democrats, has been nothing but hollow words.

Gaza is our red line because Israel’s assaults have killed thousands of civilians, with children bearing the brunt of the violence. We know their names, their faces, and their stories—but for too many politicians, they are just statistics.

Gaza is our red line because homes are demolished, lives uprooted, and entire families displaced in clear violation of international law. The excuse is “security,” but what security justifies the endless displacement of innocent families? What about Palestinian security too?

Gaza is our red line because the United States sends $3.8 billion in military aid to Israel every year, money that funds the bombs, the tanks, the military infrastructure that makes these atrocities possible. Our tax dollars are complicit.

What This Means for Muslim Voters

Muslims cannot afford to stay silent, and we will not. Gaza is a test of moral clarity. For Muslim voters, this is non-negotiable.

Gaza is our red line because it forces us to face the uncomfortable truth that many of our political leaders—Democrats included—refuse to take a strong stance against these violations of human rights. We cannot continue to support candidates who look the other way.

Gaza is our red line because it represents the ultimate litmus test for justice. If a candidate cannot stand up for the rights of Palestinians in Gaza, how can we trust them to stand up for any oppressed community? This is a matter of moral consistency.

In swing states and key electoral districts, Muslim voters represent the margin of victory. Politicians who want our support must understand this clearly: no justice for Gaza, no vote. We will no longer accept empty promises and vague statements.

Our Political Power

Muslim voters are not insignificant; we are a growing and influential bloc, especially in key swing states.

• Key Swing States: In the 2020 election, Muslim voters were instrumental in deciding outcomes in battleground states. In Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—states that flipped to Biden—Muslims make up between 1-3% of the population, a margin large enough to sway results. For instance, in Michigan, with a significant Muslim community of over 270,000 people, Biden’s margin of victory was just over 150,000 votes (Pew Research Center).
• High Voter Engagement:A 2020 study by the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) found that 71% of eligible Muslim voters participated in the 2020 election, a significant increase from past years and comparable to the general national voter turnout rate (ISPU).
• Growing Presence: According to Pew Research, the Muslim population in the United States is projected to reach 8.1 million by 2050, with a majority residing in key urban areas and battleground states (Pew Research Center). This means our influence is set to grow, especially in states that determine presidential outcomes.

A Litmus Test for Justice

• Shifting Political Allegiances: Historically, many Muslims supported Democratic candidates due to their stances on civil rights and equality. However, with increasing disappointment over their silence on Gaza, there has been a shift. Among Muslims, regardless of their chosen candidate for 2024, the majority say a permanent ceasefire in Gaza would make them more likely to vote for a candidate. This includes 89% of those who had planned to vote for Biden, 72% of those who chose Trump and 91% of “swing voters” (ISPU).

Why Non-Muslims Should Care

This is not just a Muslim issue. Gaza is an issue of human rights, global stability, and the credibility of international law.

Gaza is our red line because allowing these atrocities to continue undermines every movement for justice, whether it’s the fight against apartheid, civil rights, or any other struggle for equality. If you believe in justice anywhere, you must believe in it for Gaza.

Gaza is our red line because the same values that drive the movements for Black Lives, for immigrant rights, and for women’s rights apply here. To stand on the sidelines is to undermine those values.

Gaza is our red line because what happens in Gaza is not isolated; it destabilizes the region, fuels conflict, and threatens global peace. A just solution for Gaza means a more stable Middle East and a world where human rights are truly universal.

What Muslims Must Do Now

We cannot afford to be passive. Share this with your community, your leaders, and your networks. Educate yourself and others. Here’s how we can mobilize:

1. Use Your Vote Wisely: Make Gaza your political red line—only support candidates who take a firm stance on the issue. Use our tool to find your representatives and press them to speak out—silence is complicity.
2. Demand Accountability: Contact your elected officials and hold them accountable for U.S. aid to Israel. Use our tool HERE to find your representatives automatically and send them our prewritten letter demanding justice.
3. Share the Facts: Use social media, community platforms, and conversations to spread awareness. Facts are powerful, and so is our collective voice.
4. Support Organizations on the Ground: Donate to organizations that are providing direct relief to Palestinians in Gaza. Help amplify their work and the real stories of those suffering.
5. Speak Out at Every Opportunity: Whether at town halls, community meetings, or within your own family, make Gaza part of the conversation. Let it be known that this is where the line is drawn.

The US Council of Muslim Organizations – Civic Action Network (USCMO-CAN), the nation’s largest Muslim civic action organization, announced its voter mobilization platform for the United States 2020 presidential election. The effort stems from USCMO’s successful One Million Voter registration drive in 2016. The campaign organized volunteers of member organizations and local communities at more than 2500 mosques, 500 schools, and community centers nationwide to turn out eligible Muslim voters for future elections. Since then, American Muslims have been registering to vote in large numbers.

The success of the campaign underscores the political climate of the United States and American’s renewed cognition of the value of political engagement. In a statement, USCMO Secretary General Oussama Jammal called on all Americans to “exercise their civic obligation and right to vote in the upcoming elections,” calling voting “foundational to the success of our democracy”.

As a part of the One million Plus voter mobilization effort, USCMO-CAN implores all American Muslims to vote early if voting in person, or to request, accurately fill out, and return election ballots as soon as possible if voting by mail.

(Washington, D.C., 11/23/2019) The US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO) organized a civic activism summit to discuss a host of issues gearing up for the 2020 elections. Attendees listened to experts and discussed trends and possible key issues of the upcoming elections, and strategies to address them. Muslim candidates for public office had the opportunity to share campaign experiences and the contributions they look forward to making once elected. Participants also discussed and prioritized important issues for the American Muslim communities across the United States.

“This election is poised to be the most crucial election of our lifetime, and the future of our nation’s well-being depends on it,” remarked Secretary General Oussama Jammal. He reaffirmed the importance of a unified and resilient effort by American Muslim organizations and American Muslims across the nation to remain conscious of the magnitude of this election. The event concluded with a call to action for everyone to exercise their civic duty and vote in the 2020 elections.