Crypto may swing election in battleground states — law professor

As the 2024 election season commences in the United States, the crypto industry and broader community have mobilized to support perceived pro-crypto candidates. Dr. Tonya M. Evans—a tenured law professor at Pennsylvania State University—sat down with Cointelegraph to explain the impact of crypto on the upcoming elections.

According to Dr. Evans, the upcoming presidential race, in particular, will be decided by razor-thin margins—where many issues can potentially swing the vote, including crypto.

However, the law professor also noted: “If you’re a multi-issue voter who happens to also be pro-crypto, you’re far less likely to be swayed by either candidate on this point alone.”

Exploiting these razor-thin margins is strategic to US presidential candidates vying for battleground states. Dr. Evans explained:

“The race really isn’t about winning over the general population, but about navigating the Electoral College game. That means that if there are small voter shifts in crucial states, [like] Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, etc, that could move the needle.”

The professor also expressed confidence that support for cryptocurrency and digital assets is bipartisan and cuts through political factors—a view corroborated by the $14 million spent by pro-crypto political action committees supporting Congressional candidates from both parties.

Related: Advocates call for crypto to be discussed at US presidential debate

The broader picture and crypto’s place in the 2024 elections

To many voters, crypto is a “top-of-mind issue, though not top-line,” Dr. Evans clarified. She noted the importance of the topic to voters, but also its subordination to other election issues like reproductive health and macroeconomic policy.

A recent Benzinga poll found that 6% of respondents wanted to hear the 2024 US presidential candidates discuss crypto during a debate, while 45% wanted to hear about the economy and job creation and 24% wanted the candidates to discuss immigration.

Another poll conducted by crypto exchange Gemini found that 73% of adults polled in the United States said that a candidate’s crypto policies would have “some impact” on whether they voted for them.

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