Polling: Young voters dislike both parties
By: Sara Pequeno
USA Today
..... If a new poll is any indication, both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party should be worried about the youth vote in the 2026 midterm elections.
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According to polling form the University of Chicago, about 60% of Gen Z and millennial voters are dissatisfied with both political parties. This includes 25% of Republican voters ages 18-42 who have an unfavorable view of the GOP, as well as 36% of Democrats in that age range who have an unfavorable view of their party.
..... None of this is really surprising, given that polling across age ranges has show that voters are unhappy with both political parties. What might surprise party leaders, however are the specific issues that generation Z and millennial are worried about.
..... As our elected officials cling to power, many of them past their prime, the trope of blaming young voters for there apathy and laziness is tried and overdone. Both political parties have lost the plot, and young voters know it. It's time to shift the blame from voters to the party officials who fail to keep them engaged.
Young voters are begging for an affordability party
..... When we break down the data, it's clear that Democratic, Republican and Independent voters are all worried about similar issues: affordability and the economy. The difference is in what specific money matters these Gen Z and millennial voters care about.
..... When asked what the biggest problem in the country were:
*38% of Republicans or Republican-leaning voters said the national debt, followed by poverty and economic growth.
* Democratic and Democrat-leaning votes on the other hand, were more likely to say income inequality is the primary issue in the United States, followed by racism (the only noneconomic issue to appear in the top three) and economic growth.
* Independent also considered income inequality to be the most pressing issue, followed by poverty and economic growth.
..... Similar answers weer chosen when asked what the most pressing issues in the voters' community were: The most popular answer was housing affordability, regardless of political affiliation. Nearly half of both Republicans and Democratic listed this as their top issue,.
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This makes perfect sense to me, someone who sits at the cusp of millennial and Gen Z. Finances are one of the biggest stressors in my life, especially housing affordability. I am concerned with income inequality, which is particularly visible in a place like New York City. That's why I - along with so many other young people - voted for Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who made his entire platform about affordability.
Younger voters are Democrats' to lose
..... When it comes to the affordability conversation, Democratic lawmakers may actually be at an advantage. President Donald Trump has called affordability a "hoax" that the Democrats made up, which is completely at odds with what people are feeling in their day-to-day lives.
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As a progressive, I want to see Democratic leaders champion affordability as their party platform and promote a robust social safety net. In particular, I want the party to champion lower health care costs and highlight how the Republican Party is about to cut Affordable Care Act subsidies that people rely on.
..... I also think it's important for Democrats to stand their gorgon and not cede territory to Republicans on social issues, but in a way that makes these issues secondary to economic issues. this is clear given hat "racism" was still a top concern for Democratic young voters.
..... For Republicans, I think the answer lies in promoting the good things about the economy right now, like the Federal Reserve's recent decision to cut interest rates. As the party in charge, GOP leaders must understand that it is their responsibility to take ownership of the ways the economy is doing poorly, as much as they want to take credit for the ways things are improving. If necessary, they should adjust their policy - even if it means breaking with the president.
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Both parties can stress this to Gen Z and millennial through a combination of grassroots organizing and social media strategy, but the most important thing is for them to have strong party platforms that clearly outline just exactly how they plan on making life more affordable for all Americans.
..... It would probable be wise for political parties to cerate strong housing platforms and make that a primary issue in the 2026 elections if they want to win back Gen Z and millennial voters.
..... Overall, both major parities just need to do something that will show the American people - especially young voters - that they are listening to the very real issues we are facing.
..... Follow USA Today columnist Sara Pequeno on X, formerly Twitter: @sara_pequeno