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- New AP-NORC poll reveals young adults increasingly disengage from U.S. politics
- Only 20% of adults under 30 follow politics closely, compared to 33% overall
- 60% of young adults see voting as “very important,” vs. 90% of older generations
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Quick Brief
2-Minute Digest
Essential Context
A new AP-NORC poll shows significant generational divides in political engagement. Young adults under 30 are less likely to follow politics, prioritize voting, or identify with major political parties compared to older Americans. This disengagement reflects broader concerns about democracy’s effectiveness in addressing their needs.
Core Players
- AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research – Conducted the survey
- Young independents – 33% of adults under 30 reject party labels
- Mirekk Griffiths – Young voter expressing disillusionment with current system
- Medina – Researcher highlighting systemic distrust among youth
Key Numbers
- 1,437 – Total adults surveyed (July 10-14, 2025)
- 20% – Young adults following politics “extremely” or “very” closely
- 60% – Young adults viewing voting as “very important”
- 33% – Young independents rejecting party affiliation
- 45% – Young independents seeing voting as important (vs. 75% of partisans)
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The Catalyst
“If another party was likely to win, I’d be interested in that,” said Mirekk Griffiths, a young voter who supported Kamala Harris but now questions voting’s value. This sentiment reflects widespread disillusionment captured in the AP-NORC poll.
Medina, a researcher, notes: “There’s a sense that democracy isn’t working for young people. They don’t believe it can improve their lives.”
Inside Forces
Partisan divides exist even among young adults. While 75% of young Democrats and Republicans see voting as important, only 45% of independents share this view. This gap suggests party affiliation amplifies political engagement.
Young adults also prioritize different issues. They’re less likely than older generations to view the economy, healthcare, or immigration as “extremely important,” though majorities still support progressive policies like universal healthcare and tuition-free college.
Power Dynamics
The generational gap in political engagement is stark. Only 20% of adults under 30 follow politics closely, compared to 33% overall. This disengagement extends to party identification, with 33% of young adults rejecting both major parties.
Teenagers (13-17) show even lower engagement, with 44% not following politics at all. This trend raises concerns about long-term civic participation.
Outside Impact
Declining youth engagement could reshape electoral strategies. Candidates may need to address systemic distrust and prioritize issues like student debt, climate change, and economic inequality to reconnect with young voters.
Advocacy groups warn that persistent disengagement could weaken democratic accountability, particularly if young adults continue to see voting as ineffective.
Future Forces
Key areas for potential change include:
- Voter outreach strategies targeting independents
- Policy reforms addressing youth priorities
- Civic education programs for teenagers
- Campaign messaging emphasizing tangible outcomes
Data Points
- July 10-14, 2025 – Poll survey period
- 1,437 – Total respondents
- 33% – Young independents rejecting party labels
- 45% – Young independents seeing voting as important
- 75% – Young partisans viewing voting as important
The AP-NORC findings highlight a critical challenge for American democracy: reconnecting with a generation that increasingly questions the system’s relevance. Addressing this disconnect will require both systemic reforms and targeted engagement strategies to rebuild trust and participation.
