In Their Own Words: Black Women Voters

Three young women film their views on why they vote and voted this year

Among the coalition of various voting blocs key to the reelection of President Barack Obama were women and African Americans, both of whom, early exit poll data showed, really turned out to support the president, Reuters reported.

[ALSO READ: Obama Wins Reelection]

Below, three women share videos of themselves discussing their reasons for voting after they went to the polls Tuesday.

It's your turn: Did you cast a ballot in this year's presidential race. Why did you vote? Tell us in the comments section.

Ciana Hamlett, 20, Bergenfield, N.J., first time voter whose family was among millions who lost power in Hurricane Sandy:

Diana Quaynor Stephen, 36, first time voter and new citizen of Olney, Md., filmed by 8-year-old son, Art, who accompanied her to the polls:

Alexis Taylor-Butler, 22, of Kansas City, Mo., who said women's reproductive rights issues drove her to the polls:

[SUBSCRIBE TO LOOP 21 RSS FEED]

Mobilizing the Black Female Vote in 2012

Sisters are organizing, although the candidates may be taking them for granted

"It's time for us to lead the way, because we voted in greater numbers than any other gender and race group last election, and we’ve got to do the same this year," said Elsie Scott, president and CEO of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation at last month’s Annual Legislative Conference. The audience, mostly women of color, applauded and nodded in agreement. With the election about a month away, voters across the country, especially black women, are paying more attention than ever to the issues that matter to them.

During the 2008 election, 69 percent of black women who were qualified to vote went to the polls, which was a 5.1-point increase from the 2004 presidential election, according to a study of census data on 2008 voters by the Pew Hispanic Center. Although both candidates have released several ads, none have spoken directly to black women.

“I remember when President Obama campaigned last time, and I really felt like he was talking to me,” says Monica Jones, a Democrat. “I was really happy when he made his speech about black fathers, and as a single mother I could really relate. However, this time it doesn’t feel like he’s reaching out to me directly, but I do care about the same issues he does, such as healthcare and financial aid. I would love if the message were a bit more personal though. Perhaps it’s because he knows or thinks black women are going to vote for him no matter what.”

While both campaigns are focusing on issues for all Americans, the majority of outreach has been targeted to white male and Latino voters.