As the political landscape in America continues to evolve, many young voters are expressing growing disillusionment with the electoral process. Jen Iro, a 34-year-old Texan, exemplifies this trend, sharing that the last time she participated in an election was to support former President Barack Obama. She remains uncertain about voting in the upcoming elections, citing increasing dissatisfaction with the state of politics.
“Politics just don’t hold much importance for me anymore. It feels like it’s only getting worse, which makes me less interested,” Iro stated. Her sentiment echoes a broader trend where a significant number of young eligible voters feel detached from traditional political affiliations.
Key issues such as affordable housing, climate change, and rising living costs have left many in the millennial and Gen Z demographics feeling hopeless regarding a political system that appears unresponsive to their needs.
Historically, young and Black voters have leaned Democratic; in the 2020 elections, an overwhelming 92% of Black voters supported President Biden. However, recent data suggests a notable shift within this demographic. According to research, 7% of Black voters over 50 now identify as or lean Republican, and this number rises to 17% among those under 50. The impact of Vice President Harris as the Democratic candidate remains to be seen with this changing voter sentiment.
Interestingly, it’s known that people often become more conservative as they age, but among Black voters, the younger cohort is displaying more conservative tendencies as they head into this crucial election cycle. With approximately 40 million individuals from Generation Z eligible to vote in November, a substantial fraction of these are young people of color, including nearly 6 million Black youth.
Christopher Towler, an associate professor at California State University, Sacramento, delves into the reasons behind the disconnection felt by individuals like Iro. “Black voters are aware of the significance of elections and the importance of representation. However, they are currently feeling underrepresented by both political parties,” Towler remarked.
This sentiment suggests a broader issue in which many Black Americans are not observing the tangible benefits that political leaders claim are improving their communities, such as decreasing Black unemployment and enhancing small business loans. “There is a prevailing belief that they want to support a cause but are uncertain if their votes really yield change,” Towler added.
As part of ongoing research through the Black Voter Project’s national survey, the inclination toward Republican support among younger voters is becoming increasingly notable. “Among my findings, the highest percentage of Black voters favoring Trump falls within the 18- to 29-year-old group, with around 22% indicating they will vote for him,” Towler mentioned. This cohort is also reported as being the least supportive of the Democratic Party.
Towler notes that this trend may stem from a generational disconnect with the Civil Rights Movement. “We’ve reached a stage where young Black voters are becoming distanced from the civil rights era, which in turn affects their political identity and affiliations with party politics,” he stated.
Bernard Fraga, an associate professor at Emory University, concurs, indicating that this marks a new era for Black voters. “Historically, Democrats have been viewed as the party of change. However, there is a growing perception among young voters that Republicans might represent the change they desire,” he explained.
R.C. Maxwell, a 35-year-old Republican from Arizona, has noted the party’s increasing outreach to younger voters and communities of color since Donald Trump’s candidacy in 2015. He observes that more youths are aligning with GOP principles, seeking economic opportunities and embracing the American dream. “We yearn for prosperity, secure borders, and the American dream. The Republican Party is directly articulating this message with policies promoting limited government,” Maxwell stated.
Kiah Hopkins, a 20-year-old from Georgia, plans to vote Democratic but recognizes a shift among her peers toward Republican ideologies or third-party candidates. “Many say they appreciate the Republican approach to economics while often holding more progressive views on social issues,” she explained, expressing concern for her friends who have opted out of voting altogether. “This trend worries me because voting is a privilege our ancestors fought hard for,” Hopkins concluded.
