New poll highlights young voter interests for 2024

Young voters want to see changes made to reproductive rights, health care and inflation, according to a poll released Monday.

In partnership with Future Majority research, Rolling Sea Action Fund and ASPIRE PAC, Communities United Action Fund polled 2,257 of voters under 40 living in Arizona, Michigan, Georgia and competitive districts in California.

The Hill received an exclusive look at the poll, which found that 79 percent of these respondents said MAGA extremists threaten democracy, including 80 percent of voters of color. A total of 76 percent said MAGA extremists threaten their personal rights and freedoms, including 77 percent of voters of color.

Niccara Campbell-Wallace, executive director of Rolling Sea Action Fund, an organization dedicated to Black political empowerment, said these results are because young voters see their rights and freedoms are being “threatened.”

“Radicals on the Supreme Court have repealed our abortion rights, and extremists in Congress have blocked any meaningful action on gun safety or immigration,” Campbell-Wallace said. “Now they’re coming after individuals seeking fertility treatments. Young people of color recognize the threats to their rights and freedoms, but they must be motivated to vote.”

The numbers come just ahead of Super Tuesday, and with both President Biden and former President Trump appear poised to face off in November. 

Both have actively been campaigning for a diverse coalition of voters, particularly Black voters. 

Though Black voters often make up a large voting bloc for Democrats, Republicans have been making inroads with the demographic in recent years.

A February poll conducted in Michigan by the Howard University Initiative on Public Opinion found that Trump’s ratings with Black men, which are higher than his support among Black women, could be Biden’s downfall.

But despite Biden’s waning support among Black voters, a December AP-NORC poll found only 25 percent of Black Americans said they had a favorable view of Trump.

Biden’s reelection campaign is now pushing Trump’s recent comments on Black voters as one reason why Trump — and the GOP — are a threat. 

Now, with 81 percent of poll respondents saying they oppose the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Roe v. Wade, the president’s campaign has also been highlighting the threat Trump poses to reproductive freedom. 

Still, Democrats have admitted to struggling with their messaging to Black and young voters lately. 

Morgan Miller, executive director of Communities United, said now is the time to reach these voters — including those who have become disillusioned with the democratic process. 

“The issue environment is ripe for our diverse communities to reach and connect with these young voters,” Miller said. “We have a real opportunity between now and November to highlight these widely popular policies and articulate how those policies will improve their lives if they vote in November.”

Monday’s poll also found that young voters want to see improvements made regarding the economy and daily expenses.

Eighty percent of respondents said lowering health care prices and expanding coverage are important goals for America to achieve.

Meanwhile, 78 percent said “continuing to strengthen our economy by reducing inflation, creating more good-paying jobs, and ensuring a fair and inclusive economy” is an important goal.

Sixty-nine percent said “increasing access to affordable child care and guaranteeing paid family leave for parents of newborns” is important.

“We need to acknowledge that pocketbook issues are still tough for a majority of voters, especially for young people and people of color,” said Nic Jordan, executive director of ASPIRE PAC. “These voters are telling us that candidates need to have a comprehensive plan for the future. That’s why our leaders must show that they understand the day-to-day struggles our communities face.”