Young Voters Agree: New Blood Needed to Spark Political Revolution in Congress

image
Author: Quynh Uong
Created: 30 Jul, 2018
Updated: 17 Oct, 2022
2 min read

A new tide is turning in America’s political climate, and a recent AP poll reveals that the young people — apparently “exasperated” with the older leaders in Congress — are ready to make some waves with their vote in the upcoming 2018 midterm elections.

According to a poll by the Associated Press-NORC and MTV, 79% of Americans between the ages 15-34 think that younger leaders would do a better job running the country as opposed to our current Congress, whose average House member and Senate age is 58 and 62, respectively.

The political attitudes of young Americans today lack teen spirit:

  • 57% are doubtful that people of differing political views can come together and resolve their differences;
  • 1 in 5 have hope that political polarization will heal over the next five years;
  • 1 in 10 have felt positive or excited about the state of the country in the past month; and
  • 7 in 10 say American politics are dysfunctional.

When asked about what they would like to see in the future of American politics, young people express their interest in candidates who care about issues that affect them and their generation. These issues include health care, immigration, the economy, and equal rights. 

And who do they want to see in office? They're less excited about career politicians, celebrities, and older, white candidates. Their excitement instead lies in younger, nonwhite, and/or female candidates, but especially in those who share their political views.

With 63% of young people believing that voting in the 2018 midterm election will allow them to effect real change in the government, it's safe to say November may produce some surprising results.

Perhaps the volatile and uncertain nature of American politics has its upsides; rather than succumbing to political disenchantment, young people seem eager to dive head-first into changing America for the better.

Photo Credit: Suzanne Tucker / shutterstock.com

Latest articles

Color ballots going into ballot box
Redondo Beach Voters Say Ranked Choice Voting is Simple, Fair, and Easy
Redondo Beach used ranked choice voting (RCV) for the first time on March 4 during its municipal elections and according to new data from Lake Research Partners, voters liked it....
12 Mar, 2025
-
1 min read
US Rep Thomas Massie
'Mr. No' Thomas Massie Threatened with Primary Challenge over Funding Stance
The US House was able to pass a continuing resolution in a party-line vote Tuesday to set up another government funding fight in six months and avoid a government shutdown....
12 Mar, 2025
-
4 min read
Man voting.
Maine Lawmakers Vote to Protect RCV Counting Process, Which Generates Results in 'One Minute'
On Monday, Maine's Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee voted 3-7 against restoring batch elimination to the ranked choice voting (RCV) system through LD 656 (HP 424), the title of which claims it will save taxpayers money, but the secretary of state says is unnecessary. ...
11 Mar, 2025
-
1 min read