50k ‘Gen Z’ Students Identify as RepublicanLOOKING TO 2020 ELECTIONS, NEW SURVEY OF 50,000 ‘generation z’ HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS INDICATES MOST IDENTIFY AS REPUBLICANS AND THAT THE TRUMP EFFECT CAN HAVE IMPACT going forward in contrast to millenials
WASHINGTON, D.C. – My College Options and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) today presented the results of a new national survey of approximately
50,000 “Generation Z” high school students’ (ages 14-18) attitudes on the 2016 presidential election which found that the majority identify as Republicans – in sharp contrast to Millennials – and overall would vote for Donald Trump. Trump would win with first-time voters by a large margin, and with girls by a narrower margin. More than one in three participants said they would “choose not to vote.” Clinton would beat Trump among African Americans and Latinos by a large margin, and by a narrower margin with Asians. The Pulse Study on the Presidential Election also serves as a strong glimpse to the 2020 presidential elections when all participants will able to vote. In addition to asking for which candidate students would vote, the study also explores students’ perceptions regarding the issues most important to them, the direction of the country, presidential performance, their level of political engagement, and what media sources they use to learn about political issues.
The findings were broken down by ethnicity, gender, and first time voter status to provide deeper insights. In terms of the top issues, African American and Latino students said education was their top priority followed by the economy, immigration and racism for Latinos and racism, economy and healthcare for African Americans. For Whites, it was the economy followed by education, gun rights and terrorism. White students were least likely to say they would “choose not to vote” with African Americans, Asians and Latinos are most likely to not vote in the election.
See below for highlights of the Presidential Pulse Study and the full study at
http://tabsoft.co/2dJC4km.
The presidential polling research, conducted by My College Options, began in late September 2016 and findings are still being up to the moment. The study was constructed using the results of paper survey ballots administered in high schools nationally, resulting in a nationally representative study sample and a marginal error of .6%. “With unparalleled access to our nation’s youth, we at My College Options believe it is our obligation to amplify their voices on issues that are so critical to our future. My College Options serves as a catalyst for lifelong learning and, through this national youth vote, we want to promote students’ passions for civic engagement,” said Ryan Munce, Vice President of My College Options.
“It’s critical to understand what the students’ priorities and preferences are as we found out in the Presidential Pulse Study to better engage this potentially powerful subset of the electorate at an early stage for the 2020 elections,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO of HHF. “Our findings shocked us and clearly state that the Trump effect was not only felt by adults and can have an impact going forward with Generation Z. It’s also an important message that youth can’t be taken for granted as to how they lean politically by either side of the aisle. I’m grateful to our friends at My College Options and the Raben Group for giving youth a voice during these important elections and beyond.”
The top findings indicate:
First Time Voters:
46% Trump / 31% Clinton / 11% 3rd party candidate / 4% write-in candidate / 6% “I would choose not to vote in this election”
Obama job approval: approve (44%), disapprove (30%), no opinion (20%)
Direction of country – positive: yes (11%), no (56%), I don’t know (27%)
23% very engaged in politics / 50% somewhat engaged / 17% not very engaged / 5% not at all engaged
Top issues: economy (44%), education (39%), gun rights (28%), health care (18%)
Top news sources: Cable news (66%), social media sites (47%), online news (47%), teachers (44%)
Overall:
34% Trump / 20% Clinton / 9% 3rd party candidate / 4% write-in candidate / 31% “I would choose not to vote in this election”
Obama job approval: approve (41%), disapprove (25%), no opinion (28%)
Direction of country – positive: yes (7%), no (55%), I don’t know (34%)
12% very engaged in politics / 42% somewhat engaged / 26% not very engaged / 13% not at all engaged
Top issues: education (41%), economy (38%), gun rights (27%), health care (19%)
Top news sources: Cable news (61%), social media sites (46%), parents (45%), online news (41%)
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