A recent CNN poll conducted by SSRS reveals Vice President Kamala Harris holds a 12-point lead over former President Donald Trump among voters under 35. This demographic, while largely discontented with their influence in American politics, remains optimistic about the nation’s future. Harris leads Trump 52% to 40% among likely voters in this age group, a narrower gap than in 2020 when President Joe Biden secured a 21-point margin among young voters, according to exit polls.
This lead represents a return to more typical voting patterns, following earlier polling in which Biden struggled to maintain youth support for a second term. The latest figures suggest younger voters may be leaning back toward the Democratic Party with Harris at the forefront of the ticket.
Gender Divide Persists Among Younger Voters
The poll highlights a significant gender gap in this demographic. Among female voters under 35, Harris leads Trump 53% to 39%, while male voters are more evenly split. Additionally, young women are 15 points more likely than their male counterparts to hold a positive view of Harris.
Polling results on young voters’ preferences have varied, with some national polls showing margins as close as Harris leading by 3 points and others reflecting a more substantial lead of 32 points. The CNN poll surveyed a larger sample of young voters to gain a clearer understanding of this critical voting bloc.
Youth Vote Still Fluid, With Room for Change
Despite the lead, the youth vote remains one of the most volatile parts of the electorate. Nearly 20% of likely voters under 35 have not fully committed to a candidate, compared to 12% among those 35 and older. Additionally, only half of young registered voters say they are highly motivated to vote in the upcoming election, a lower figure compared to older age groups.
Young Trump supporters appear less motivated than Harris supporters, with 10% fewer describing themselves as “extremely motivated” to vote. This motivation gap is mirrored by a gender divide, where young women are more likely to feel that their vote is of extreme importance compared to young men.
Political Attitudes Among Young Voters
The poll also offers insights into the political attitudes of young voters. Two-thirds of those under 35 began paying attention to politics during or after the Obama presidency, and their memories of the Trump era are largely negative. Fifty-seven percent of young voters view Trump’s presidency as a failure, a higher percentage than any other age group. Yet, 67% of young voters also see Biden’s presidency as a failure.
Among disillusioned young voters, Harris still captures 30% of those who view the Biden administration negatively, a larger share than she garners among disaffected voters of all ages. Notably, while young White voters are more likely than their older counterparts to view Trump’s presidency negatively, young voters of color tend to see it more favorably.
Trump’s favorability rating among young registered voters stands at 34%, while Harris maintains a neutral favorability, with 47% viewing her positively and 45% negatively. Half of young registered voters say Trump has worsened their perception of the Republican Party, doubling the number who say he improved their view of it. Meanwhile, Harris has less impact on perceptions of the Democratic Party, with 35% saying she worsened their view and 27% reporting an improvement.
Key Issues for Younger Voters
The economy remains the top issue for likely voters of all ages, but the poll reveals some age-based differences among Harris and Trump supporters. While 60% of Trump supporters prioritize the economy, younger Harris voters rank abortion and reproductive rights as their top concern, with 30% listing it as their primary issue, followed by the economy and democracy protection.
Young voters are evenly split on which candidate they trust to handle the economy, with 43% favoring Trump and 42% preferring Harris. However, Harris enjoys a significant advantage on issues like reproductive rights, protecting democracy, and addressing the concerns of future generations.
Dissatisfaction With Political Influence
Despite their active participation in the political process, 64% of young voters say the federal government does not do enough to help people like them. This dissatisfaction is even higher among young White voters, and 72% of voters under 35 feel the government should be doing more for younger Americans overall. Additionally, 81% of young voters believe the government isn’t doing enough for working-class Americans, while 72% think it is doing too much for the wealthy.
Polling Methodology
The CNN Poll was conducted from September 19-22, 2024, and surveyed 2,074 registered voters nationwide, including an oversample of 624 voters under 35. The margin of error for the full sample is ±3 percentage points, while it is larger for subgroups such as younger voters.
This poll illustrates the complex dynamics at play among young voters, suggesting they could play a decisive role in the 2024 election, depending on turnout and candidate engagement.
