Voters age 18-34 years of age.

Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:

1. According to the data from the visual above, how much of a lead in the youth (age 18-34) vote did Biden have over Trump?

2. On July 21, Joe Biden dropped out of the race so he could take a nap. According to the data from the map above, in the youth vote, how much of an advantage does Harris (Biden’s replacement) have over Trump?

3. How does the polling data above track with your own experience and that of your young cohort?

4. According to a Pew Research Center analysis: Gen Z and millennial voters were key to Biden's 2020 victory, turning out in huge numbers and favoring him by 20 points in 2020. Based on the data above, how do you think the youth vote will impact the 2024 election?

5. If elected, Trump would be 78 in January 2025, and Harris would be 60. Why do you think that young people favor Democrats (even old ones like Biden) so much more than Republicans?

6. In addition to the data above, what other information would you need to know to be able to more accurately forecast the 2024 election results?

7. According to an NPR voter analysis, young voters focus more on issues than candidates in 2024 presidential election. What issues do you think young and old voters least agree on?

8. Many state legislatures are responding to the 2020 election by trying to make it harder for young people to vote. For example many states are limiting on-campus voting at colleges and universities, or adding voter identification restrictions (many young people do not have id). Why do you think those sates are trying to limit youth voting?

9. Today’s youth voter is tomorrow’s older voter. Even years later, most people stick with the same party they first voted for. Why do you think that is?

10. Donald Trump recently falsely claimed Taylor Swift had endorsed him for president. How much do you think a Taylor Swift endorsement would impact the outcome of the election?

Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Act on your Learning

Register to vote.

Get Creative

Create the ideal candidate to attract the youth vote.

Learning Extension

Check out this interactive map of youth voting in all U.S. states. Hover over your state and see how the youth vote went in your state.