Disillusioned, but not defeated: What young adults are looking for

Disclosures

This article is part of U.S. Democracy Day, a nationwide collaborative on Sept. 15, the International Day of Democracy, in which news organizations cover how democracy works and the threats it faces. To learn more, visit usdemocracyday.org.

In the 2020 election, 18- to 29-year-olds proved to be a strong force. According to a May 2023 NPR article, they made up about 1 in 6 voters and boosted President Biden to a decisive victory by more than 20 points, exit polls show. 

Four years later, the 18-to 29-year-old age group is showing signs of disillusionment. In the Philadelphia region (Philadelphia, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, and Bucks counties), based on the 2020 American Community Survey, the nearly one million young adults ages 14 to 25 — a demographic which now makes up the 18-to 29-year-old voters in 2024 — represents roughly 23% of the region’s total population. This is a significantly large group, and they are increasingly disengaged from the political process.

Several factors contribute to this disillusionment, from dissatisfaction with the quality of candidates to perceived systemic flaws and a general lack of meaningful engagement. To better understand these issues, Generocity conducted an anonymous survey of local college students and asked them what it would take for them to feel more engaged and excited about voting. Here’s what we found:

Quality of candidates

One of the most common concerns of young voters is the age and relevance of the current candidates. Many feel that the leading candidates are too old and do not relate to the realities of their generation. They would like to see younger, more relatable candidates who can address the particular challenges of today’s society. Additionally, integrity is also an important issue: some young voters prefer candidates who are honest and not tainted by scandal.

Questions about the political system

A recurring theme among the responses was the perceived unfairness of the current political system. Many young voters feel that their interests are not adequately represented, leading to a sense of disenfranchisement. This lack of representation is compounded by frustration at election promises not being kept, especially on critical issues such as the economy. The belief that the system is rigged or unresponsive to their needs fosters further disengagement.

Engagement and education

Another major obstacle to participation is the lack of effective outreach and civic education. Many young voters feel that political campaigns do not engage them enough or provide them with the information they need to make informed decisions. Some expressed a desire for more opportunities to discuss and debate political issues and emphasized the importance of understanding the differences between the parties and the impact of their vote.

To get deeper insights into their voter education, we also asked students about local elections for the House of Representatives and Senate. While much attention is focused on the presidential election, Democrats and Republicans are battling for control of the House and Senate. When asked what they thought about the race and the candidates, two main themes emerged: uncertainty or lack of knowledge about the race and the candidates, or frustration with the two-party system that isn’t representative of the people it serves.

 Why Nonprofits and Foundations Should Care: Generocity Commentary

The disillusionment of young voters is not just a political problem, but a societal one. When a significant portion of the population feels disconnected or disempowered, the disengagement can lead to less participation, which in turn impacts the community at all levels. When young people are not engaged, their needs and perspectives are overlooked, leading to policies that do not fully address the issues at hand. This puts additional pressure on nonprofits to fill the gaps left by the government, often with limited resources.

From political education initiatives to youth advocacy programs, nonprofits and foundations  have a vital role to play in engaging this segment of the population. By investing in education, advocacy and support systems, these organizations can help ensure that young voters continue to actively participate in our democracy.

Stay tuned for our social series releasing on instagram on Democracy Day, September 15th, “Disillusioned, but not defeated.”