There has been a lot of discussion around the issue of young people voting. Will they actually go back to the polls, post-Obama Movement? Last week, we polled 1,458, 18-30 year-old buzzSpotters®, members of my trendspotting panel at Buzz Marketing Group, to see where they stood. Some stats on the respondents:
- 64% female/36% male
- 70% Caucasian; 16% African American; 7% Hispanic; 4% Asian
- 48% of respondents consider themselves Democrats, while 26% are Independent, 20% are Republican and 5% vote according to candidate or are un-decided, and 1% consider themselves a member of the Tea Party.
The results are fascinating. An overwhelming number of respondents - 93% to be exact - intend to vote on Tuesday. Those who are not voting mentioned that they weren't voting for two main reasons: not having enough information about how or where to vote, and not being able to vote based on their current location. We should remember that in 2008, a lot of attention was focused on getting college students absentee ballots. There was no escaping the need for them to vote.
So while President Obama will be pleased to know the youth vote will be there, he should find little solace in knowing that 71% of our panelists have negative or neutral feelings about his progress thus far. Much of their dissatisfaction stems from the feeling that the President is not handling priorities appropriately. What are their priorities? Well, 70% of respondents feel that the economy is the most pressing issue facing our nation, followed by health care (7%) and the budget deficit (7%). The economy seems to be priority "numero uno" for youth, just like it is for the rest of us.
So what would they have done differently? Here's a list of their top ideas:
1. Delayed the healthcare plan
2. No bank bailouts
3. Tax credits to new businesses
4. More action and less talking
5. More unemployment extensions
6. More entry-level jobs
Those are pretty clear thoughts from a generation that is consistently penned as apathetic, entitled, and free from worry. Even though a recent survey found that 41% of graduating Millennials decided not to accept job offers (the same percentage that declined in 2007 - in a booming economy), they are obviously still very worried about the economy, and what today's economy means for their future. The apathy was definitely not apparent in our survey; with over 25% of respondents offering opinions on ways we can move our country forward. The answers were in some cases just as complicated as the questions. But in general, respondents want the President to:
•Focus on small business growth
•Do a better job of communicating what he's doing
•Remind voters that change takes time
•Revive the housing market
But there were many who felt the same as this respondent, when asked what the President could do better: "Nothing. He did what he could to save a tanking economy. There is much to fix after the incompetence of former administrations."
Post Mid-term, as we look towards 2012, there is definitely one potential candidate that will not be getting their votes: Sarah Palin. When asked if they think Mrs. Palin is a viable candidate for 2012, 71% said absolutely not. Interestingly enough, only 36% of Republican respondents felt the former governor was qualified. Indeed, many panelists felt she was "not qualified" or an "idiot." My favorite response: "She is a joke. She's comparable to Snooki." Ouch. No one ever said young people play nice when it comes to sharing their opinions.
I truly hope that young people turn out in millions and vote for the candidates that most reflect their values and opinions. President Obama is passionate about young voters, and organizations like Dosomething.org and Rock the Vote have been spreading this message for years. Young people are aware that they need to be the change they want to see, and it's nice to know that they realize that, even though they're not happy with their President's progress they're not giving up on the process.