Jonathan Milner Jonathan Milner

What are the latest poll numbers for young voters?

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, overall, what candidate is winning the youth (age 18-40) vote?

  2. According to the data from the visual above, White men between the age of 18-40 equally support Harris and Trump. What group has the biggest gap of support between Trump and Harris?

  3. Identify the group, age 18-40 with the biggest gap of support for Trump over Harris?

  4. Harris is continuing to outperform former President Donald Trump among Gen Z and millennial voters 47% to 35%, according to the University of Chicago’s latest GenForward poll released Wednesday. Why do you think younger people tend to support Harris more than Trump.

  5. Describe how gender and how race impact the youth vote.

  6. The polling data asks respondents to choose between multiple candidates. In reality, many voters will only be able to choose between Trump(R) and Harris (D). Describe a feature of the American electoral system that advantages the two major parties over minor (third) parties.

  7. When voters head to the voting booth, in most states they will only be able to choose between Trump(R) or Harris (D). Explain whether these independent (third party) voters will be more likely to vote for Trump, Harris, or just not vote at all?

  8. Though Harris enjoys support among six in 10 young Black Americans, it’s a drop compared to Biden’s standing in GenForward’s poll from four years ago, when more than seven in 10 backed him. Why do you think this change has occurred?

  9. The data above reflects all voters between 18-40. Recent data has focused on voters under 30 where a stark new gender divide has formed. Young men have drifted toward Donald Trump, while young women are surging toward Kamala Harris. As a result, men and women under 30, once similar in their politics, are now farther apart than any other generation of voters. Why do you think your generation and the youngest voters are so divided by gender?

  10. 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, do you think Harris or Trump will win 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

Talk to a young voter and try to convince them to vote for your candidate of choice.

 

Get Creative

Taylor Swift and Beyoncé have endorsed Kamala Harris, while major influencers like TikToker Bryce Hall, YouTuber Jake Paul and streamer FaZe Banks have signaled support for Trump. What celebrity (listed above or not) is the most representative of generation of kids who are currently in high school.

Learning Extension

Listen to this free Daily episode on the youth gender gap.

 
 

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