First off, I’m really glad the internet didn’t exist in 1980. Can you imagine the analysis of the Reagan-Carter face-off? It would have been a complete disaster! Also, I’m thankful that President Jimmy Carter, as wonderful and well-meaning as he was, didn’t really run for the office in the conventional sense. He was more like the proverbial empty chair.

As a result, we don’t have a clear breakdown of how many Boomers voted for the GI Geriatric, Ronald Reagan. In the 18-24 age group, they gave Carter 45% of their votes compared to 44% for Reagan. The 22-29 age range split the vote evenly at 44% each. That’s not a huge difference, and it’s pretty similar (plus more than 20 points) to how Millennials and Gen Z are split today.

So, it looks like we all got skunked in the end!

Young Gen Z white men—mainly those without college degrees—voted overwhelmingly for Trump (67 percent), which is eerily similar to their just-older millennial peers (also 67 percent).

Adam Stanaland

Young Voters Shift in 2024 Election: A Mixed Bag for Harris and Trump

The 2024 presidential election revealed significant shifts in youth voting patterns. Young Americans increasingly supported Donald Trump while maintaining overall backing for Kamala Harris.

Data from diverse analyses shows that overall youth voting turnout was about 42%. This figure represents a decline from 2020 when more than 50% of young voters participated (CIRCLE, 2024). Despite the drop, turnout in battleground states like Georgia and Michigan reached around 50% (Janfaza, 2024).

Young men made a notable swing this election cycle. About 56% of young men voted for Trump in 2024, reversing the 56% who supported Joe Biden in 2020 (Stanaland, 2024). In contrast, young women overwhelmingly backed Kamala Harris, showing a 24-point margin in her favor. Women of color stood out, with 75% of Black voters and significant portions of Latino and Asian voters supporting Harris (Brill, 2024).

According to CIRCLE, the impact of the economy on youth choices was significant. Young voters listed economic issues as their top priority (CIRCLE, 2024). This concern led many young Latinos and white voters to support Trump, with Brill emphasizing early registration efforts for high school students to create a more engaged electorate (Brill, 2024).

Surveys showed discrepancies in youth support among different polls. A CBS exit poll indicated that young voters favored Harris by 11 points (Brill, 2024). However, an AP/Fox survey reported only a 6-point margin (Brill, 2024). With many ballots still uncounted, confusion persists about the exact voter turnout, leaving it too early for final conclusions (CIRCLE, 2024).

Young voters are not a monolith. Race and gender differences played a significant role in their choices. Young white men increasingly leaned toward Republican candidates (Janfaza, 2024). Conversely, young Black and Latino voters largely favored Democrats, pointing to a clear demographic divide.

Despite these shifts, CIRCLE indicates that overall support for Harris remains strong among young voters (CIRCLE, 2024). The trends show that young people are actively engaging in political debate. Their voices are critical for shaping future elections.

As young Americans face pressing issues like abortion rights, education, and climate change, organizations must prioritize voter registration (Brill, 2024). Civic engagement programs are essential to empower youth because “the goal is to encourage informed decision-making in the political arena” (Brill, 2024).

Polling data suggest that the path forward is to continue engaging young voters. Their priorities must be recognized. With increased participation, there may be a swing back toward Democratic candidates in future elections (CIRCLE, 2024).

The 2024 election results reflect shifting attitudes and priorities among young voters. This group is ready to take action and influence change in America’s political landscape. The future is in their hands, and their engagement will shape it.

References

  • Brill, L. (2024). Youth voting in the 2024 election. The Civics Center.
  • CIRCLE. (2024). The youth vote in 2024. Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement.
  • Janfaza, R. (2024). Youth vote in 2024 saw young men vote for Trump, young women of color back Harris. Teen Vogue.
  • Stanaland, A. (2024). Why Gen Z men voted for Trump. Scientific American.

For Further Reading

In Why Gen Z Men Voted for Trump, published in Scientific American on December 4, 2024, Adam Stanaland examines the unexpected voting patterns among young white males of Generation Z during the presidential election. He highlights that despite this generation’s noted commitment to social justice and progressive values, a significant number of young men, particularly those without college degrees, aligned with former President Trump’s campaign. Stanaland attributes this trend to societal expectations around masculinity, suggesting that pressures associated with hegemonic masculinity, economic uncertainties, and social expectations contributed to their conservative voting behavior.

Stanaland draws from psychological research to explain that conformity to gender norms often leads young men to assert their masculinity aggressively, particularly in times of economic distress. He posits that as the middle class shrinks and job opportunities dwindle, these men look for political figures like Trump who reflect their frustrations and fears about masculinity and achievement. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding these pressures to address the underlying issues faced by young men and to engage them more effectively in political discourse.

APA Citation

Stanaland, A. (2024, December 4). Why Gen Z men voted for Trump. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-gen-z-men-voted-for-trump/

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