Following their summer poll, Harvard IOP on Monday released their “Millennial Agenda For Next President” that detailed what issues matter most to young voters.
No matter who they’re supporting, even if they’re undecided, the top issue for millennials, by a long shot, is the economy.
Their top concerns included:
- For likely Hillary Clinton voters: Improving the economy (64 percent); reducing inequality (57 percent); uniting the country (30 percent)
- For likely Donald Trump voters: Improving the economy (69 percent); combating the spread of terrorism (63 percent); dealing with immigration (51 percent)
- For Gary Johnson supporters: Improving the economy (64 percent); reducing inequality (35 percent); uniting the country (35 percent)
- For undecided voters: Improving the economy (63 percent); combating terrorism (35 percent); reducing inequality (31 percent)
The desire to reduce inequality rings familiar. It’s a cause that Bernie Sanders and his supporters championed, a group which is not guaranteed to support Hillary.
The top concerns for Trump supporters are not shocking. He often talks about immigration reform and a CNN/ORC poll from last month shows Americans trust him more on the economy and on terrorism.
Overall, 64 percent of millennials say that improving the economy is a top issue, with 31 percent saying it is the most important issue in 2016. Reports from earlier this year had grim results for young people. When it comes to joblessness and poverty, for the first time since 1880, more millennials live at home than with significant others.
Tuesday’s theme for the RNC is “Make America Work Again.”
Combating the spread of terrorism was another overall top issue, with 39 percent saying it was a top issue. Thirty-four percent said reducing inequality was.
The poll release also had a heads up for the political parties as the Republicans began their convention on Monday with the Democrats to follow on July 25. When it comes to attracting millennials, doing so at the convention is greatly important.
“As they hold their national conventions, Democrats and Republicans have an incredible opportunity — and what could be one of their last chances to interest, excite and engage millennial citizens in the 2016 presidential elections. This is not just about responding to their hopes in some distant future; it is about taking them seriously and beginning to address their policy priorities now,” Maggie Williams, director of Harvard’s Institute of Politics, said.
