NEW ASU CISD Report
Article shared by Cathy L. Stewart on June 26, 2024 at 1:32 PM
Frustrated but Engaged
Gen Z Attituds on Voting, Parties and Issues in 2024
Cover Art and Design by Julia Hemsworth
By Dan Hunting, Thom Reilly, Jacqueline Salit and Cathy Stewart
Published by the Arizona State University Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy, June 24th 2024
Sponsored by Clean Elections
In the November 2024 election, almost 41 million members of Generation Z (under age 30) will be eligible to vote nationally (1). The Gen Z population voted at a higher rate in the 2022 midterm election than previous generations did at that age and the participation rate of young people in the 2020 presidential election was one of the highest since the voting age was lowered to 18 in 1972 (2,3).
However, some sources indicate troubling signs that this trend may not be continuing. According to Harvard Kennedy School’s annual youth poll, the percent of 18- to 29-year-olds who are “definitely” going to vote dropped from 57 percent in 2020 to 49 percent in 2024 (4). Young adults are more skeptical of government and pessimistic about the future than any living generation before them (5).
Gen Z registered voters ages 20-30 comprise 19 percent of the Arizona voting age population and 18 percent of all registered voters. However, only 10 percent of the total ballots cast in the 2022 general election came from this age group. According to the Arizona Secretary of State’s office, their political affiliation breaks down as Republicans (21%), Democrats (30%), and Non-Affiliated or Party Not Declared (49%). Latinos make up 31 percent of this group. In the 2022 general election, 33 percent of the registered voters ages 20-30 turned out to vote and 68 percent sat out the election, even though they were registered.
So, what are the current Gen Z attitudes on voting? What key issues might impact their voting participation? What are the information sources they use to make decisions on elections? And how likely are they to participate in the 2024 election?
These are some of the questions we asked 1,315 Arizona registered voters between the ages of 20 and 30. The results indicate frustration with the current political system, especially with the two major parties, coupled with a feeling that there are opportunities to improve the situation.
- A large number of registered Gen Z voters plan to vote in the 2024 general election: Two-thirds (66 percent) saying they will definitely vote, 29 percent possibly voting and only 5 percent saying they do not intend to vote. 78 percent of both Democrats and Republicans, and 53 percent of independents said they will definitely vote, while 57 percent of Latinos and 70 percent of non-Latinos indicate they will definitely vote.
- The top reasons for those Gen Z voters not voting in 2022 were: ‘too busy’ (29%), ‘process too complicated or confusing’ (25%), ‘candidates not reflecting their ideas’ (17%) and ‘feeling their vote did not matter’ (15 %).
- When asked, “What would make it more likely that you’ll vote in the 2024 general election?” , 43 percent of those who chose not to vote in 2022 checked the box for ‘candidates that better align with my values’, and 40 percent chose ‘candidates addressing issues that are important to me’.
- Top issues for Gen Z voters in 2024 include: Cost of Living (90%), Affordable Housing (86%), Protecting the Water Supply (81%) Health Care (79%), Fair and Secure Elections (78%), Jobs (76%) and Reproductive Rights (74%). independents aligned with Democrats on several issues, such as affordable housing, health care, reproductive rights, and climate change. Other issues, including fair and secure elections, taxes, gas prices, and gun rights, show independent choices similar to Republicans.
- Gen Z voters showed a high level of support for democratic principles, but also a great deal of skepticism about how well the current political environment works. There was overwhelming support shown for equal access to voting regardless of party affiliation (95%), more third-party ballot choices (80%), and the idea that their vote can change things for the better (69%). However, a majority of respondents (80%) felt that the major parties are out of touch with people of their age and that all politicians are corrupt. Strong majorities (80%) disagreed with the statements ‘the current political system works for my generation and both Republican and Democratic politicians want what’s best for the country.’
- Arizona Gen Z voters get their news sources on important issues from social media (56%), followed by online news sites at 48 percent. Only 10 percent used print media – newspapers and magazines.
- Respondents were asked if the presence of ballot measures on various policy choices would make it more likely that they would vote in November 2024. The measure ‘Establishing a fundamental right to abortion before fetal viability by enshrining the right to abortion in Arizona's constitution’ would make 93 percent of Democrats and 70 percent of independents more likely to vote. Likewise, significant portions of Democrats and independents expressed support for educational funding, increasing the minimum wage and open primaries.
- The potential for an uptick in voter turnout in 2024 as compared with 2022 seems most pronounced among Gen Z independents.
Arizona Gen Z voters are now distinctly independent, with independent registrations comprising 49 percent of the total. Among registered voters older than 30, just 32 percent are independent. Almost a third of all voters in this age group are Latino. They overwhelmingly feel the two major parties are not working in the best interest of the country and are out of touch with people of their age. They tend to feel that politicians are corrupt. A sizeable number feel the voting system is confusing, that candidates do not reflect their ideas and their vote does not matter. However, despite this, a large majority indicate they will be voting in 2024.
With regard to their support for democratic principles, there was overwhelming backing for equal access to voting regardless of party affiliation, more third-party ballot choices, and the idea that their vote can change things for the better.
Issues most important for this group of voters are primarily economic, with cost of living, affordable housing, health care, and jobs ranking as issues of most concern. Issues such as fair and secure elections and reproductive rights also are top of mind. Likely signaling a regional concern, protecting the water supply was also a major issue or this generation.
Not surprisingly, Gen Z voters get their information on important issues from social media. Print media such as newspapers and magazines are used by only 10 percent of this group of voters. Finally, citizen led ballot initiatives dealing with reproductive rights, open primaries, and an increase in the minimum wage and education funding are top motivators for this group, especially, Democrats and independents.
This statewide study and report were funded by Arizona Clean Election Commission, a voter-centered state agency that fosters greater citizen participation via the election process and voter education. With thanks to IndependentVoting.org for providing assistance in the preparation of this report.
[READ THE FULL REPORT HERE]
(1) https://circle.tufts.edu/latest-research/41-million-members-gen-z-will-be-eligible-vote-2024
(3) https://circle.tufts.edu/latest-research/half-youth-voted-2020-11-point-increase-2016
(4) https://iop.harvard.edu/youth-poll/46th-edition-fall-2023?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
(5) https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/gen-z-voters-election-tiktok-5bcdc524