Young People Are Fed Up: Focus Groups Expose Deep Economic Anxiety, Frustration and Exhaustion With the Status Quo

NextGen’s focus groups, conducted by Tulchin Research, provide insights into top priorities for young people

Washington, D.C. — NextGen America released today results from a series of youth focus groups conducted in partnership with Tulchin Research. The focus groups, held with two groups of self-identified swing voters ages 21-25, reveal deep economic anxiety, broad distrust of both political parties, and general disapproval of Artificial Intelligence and Big Tech. Across both groups, participants expressed a desire for leaders who challenge elite influence and the status quo, take their needs seriously, and deliver action over rhetoric.

These findings mirror results from NextGen America’s Pulse Check campaign, in which young people identified the economy, rising fascism, and foreign policy as their top concerns. Together, both NextGen listening projects make it clear that young people are not checked out – they feel taken for granted and disrespected by both major parties. Participants across both efforts described finding the most hope in their peers, their communities, and local organizing.

The focus groups were conducted May 20, 2026 by Tulchin Research with 12 registered voters ages 21-25 in key states, featuring one group of young women and one group of young men.
For the complete results and analysis, check out NextGen America’s Substack, In Case You(th) Missed It.

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About NextGen America
NextGen America is a nationwide organization with a mission to educate and empower young people to organize, vote, and lead.