Voters aged 18-24 identifying as more conservative than liberal: Harvard Youth Poll

The youngest voting-age group between the ages 18 and 24, including those who will be getting the opportunity to vote for the first time, are identifying as more conservative than liberal, according to a new Harvard Youth Poll. This is a shift from the slightly older group of voters between 25 and 29.  

The poll found that among American men between the ages of 18 to 24, 26 percent identify themselves as conservative while only 22 percent identify as liberal. This number is five percent higher than men between the ages of 25 to 29, where only 21 percent identify as conservative.  

This conservative shift is also seen among women, with those aged 18 to 24 being three percent more conservative than women aged 25 to 29. Nevertheless, most respondents, regardless of sex, identify as moderates. 

This generational change marks a break from historical patterns where the youngest voters overwhelmingly identify as liberal. The current youngest voters were just 10 years old when Donald Trump was elected in 2016, however, they seem more inclined to support him than originally expected, and factors such as the effects of COVID-19 are believed to have played a role, according to Axios.  

John Della Volpe, director of polling at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics, explained to the outlet that members of the younger generation "think of Trump as an anti-hero and not a villain. ... I think it's less about policy and much more about personality.” 

Despite the increased conservatism, many young voters still favor liberal positions on key political issues. Vice President Kamala Harris outperformed Trump in areas such as abortion rights, climate change, and healthcare. Harris also leads Trump in personal qualities such as empathy, relatability, and honesty. However, Trump narrowly leads Harris in issues related to the economy.