Only nine percent of young Americans say the country is headed in the right direction.
“That is on par with the lowest level ever recorded.”
Sophia Roberston is Chair of the Harvard Public Opinion Project. It analyzes the Harvard Youth Poll surveying more than 2,000 respondents aged 18 to 29. Thirty-three percent say they’re definitely voting in the Midterm Election. Among Democrats, half say they’ll turn out compared with 34% of Republicans. That’s a 16% partisan gap compared with five points in 2022.
“We’re still seeing 63% of young likely voters say their vote is primarily opposition to Trump. And 64% disapprove of congressional Democrats. So, there’s really not a mandate for Democrats, but rather against Republicans and we’re seeing that reflected in these Midterms.”
The survey reveals nearly half say their finances have worsened since the current administration took office and believe they’ll be worse off than their parents.
Of registered young voters, 91% say the cost of living is driving their vote followed by 88% citing corruption in government.
“We’re seeing young people across party lines see corporate power and corruption, and the wealth and power of billionaires as major threats to their financial security.”
And nearly two-thirds say AI replacing jobs is yet another threat to their long-term financial security.