New NextGen America Poll Shows Post-Dobbs Youth Vote Motivation is Up
Exclusive new polling shows protecting abortion and other civil rights is top priority for 18-35-year-olds in key battleground states
Austin, TX – Today, NextGen America released new research revealing that motivation to vote in 2022 is up across the board among 18-to-35-year-olds. The surge of youth motivation can largely be attributed to the overturn of Roe, with 2 in 3 young people saying the decision has made them care more about what happens in November.
The data shows that the youngest generationally are overwhelmingly opposed to the overturning of Roe, with over half strongly opposed. And the margins are massive among young women voters – with 76% opposed and only 18% in support. NextGen’s research also shows that for young voters, the fears go beyond abortion. Majorities believe a Republican Congress will lead to a ban on abortion without exceptions, and that they will continue to roll back key civil rights and push an extreme agenda on a new generation.
This polling underscores young people’s determination to elect leaders who will enact policy to protect and promote basic civil liberties. As shown by the data, young people are excited about supporting progressive candidates in the midterms, as Democrats hold a 16-point lead among young voters in the race for Congress – up from 13 points in a similar set of states polled in March. And among young voters of color, a 42-point lead.
“This temperature check on young voters affirms what we have known for a long time: young people may be disappointed, but they are not discouraged,” NextGen America President Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez said. “If MAGA Republicans take control of Congress, they will continue to strip away our rights and roll back the progress we have made. It will start with a national abortion ban, and it won’t stop there. If they gain power, we can expect them to come for other valued civil liberties like LGBTQ+ rights, birth control, and voting rights. Young people are the future of progressive politics, and as we head into the midterms NextGen is determined to help them elect Democrats who will protect our rights that are under attack.”
The survey was conducted between July 27-August 7, 2022 among registered voters ages 18-35 across seven states: Arizona, North Carolina, Nevada, Michigan, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. It includes a base sample of 1,000 interviews and an oversample of 100 people of color, for a total of 359 interviews among people of color.
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About NextGen America
NextGen America is the leading national organization for engaging young people through voter education, registration and mobilization. We invite 18-to-35 year olds — the largest and most diverse generation in American history — into our democracy to ensure our government works for them and to find new solutions to the dire challenges facing our society and the world. Since 2013, NextGen America has registered more than 1.4 million young voters and educated many millions more.