The Harvard Institute of Politics has just released the results of its Fall 2006 Young Voter Survey (.pdf).
This is a major survey of the opinions of young Americans that breaks down the results by college and non-college demographics:
A new national poll by Harvard University's Institute of Politics (IOP), located at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, finds nearly a third (32%) of 18 to 24 year olds "definitely" plan on voting in the upcoming midterm elections, a proportion that will likely amount to the highest turnout percentage for this age group in any midterm election in the last twenty years. The poll also finds that young people continue to disapprove of the job George W. Bush is doing as President, with the President averaging a grade of "C-"on seven key issues facing America, with the lowest mark coming on his handling of the War in Iraq (D+). Finally, 18-24 year olds seem to favor a swapping of majority parties in Congress, as a majority of likely voters (52%) said they favor a Congress controlled by Democrats following the November elections.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Midterm election turnout among 18-24 year old could reach record levels in 2006.
- A strong majority of likely young voters favor Democratic control of Congress.
- A near-majority of young people favor total troop withdrawal from Iraq within the next year.
- 18-24 year olds trust the military and the United Nations more than Congress and the
federal government.
- President George W. Bush gets "C-" grade on seven key issues.
- President Bush's handling of Iraq, clearly the issue that is driving this election and the President's second-term agenda, is viewed by more than two-in-five (43%) young Americans (and 67% of young African Americans) as a
failure or "F."
