Peoples Voice Webby Winner

Polling

Rock the Vote conducts poll of 18-29 year olds regularly, and also compiles the latest young voter polling from others in our monthly publication, Polling Young Voters. You can find the most recent young voter polling and reports below.

Rock the Vote Polls | Others' Polls

Rock the Vote Polls

Rock the Vote Polling Data Reveals Young Voters Remain Engaged, While Battling Feelings of Cynicism 
15 Sep 2010

Conducted nationwide August 24-30th, 2010 among 1,000 18-29 year olds, the data from this Rock the Vote poll unveils young voters attitudes towards Congress and national leaders like President Obama and Sarah Palin and their interest in the upcoming election. It also looks at their political affiliations and positions on critical issues that will be debated during the 2010 midterm election cycle, such as the war in Afghanistan, marriage rights, energy policy, sexual health education and immigration.

New Poll: Young Voters' Election Energy Intensifies, Spurred by Economic Concerns and Desire for Change -  
23 Sep 2008

Rock the Vote's latest poll of 18-29 year olds shows young voters are increasingly engaged in the upcoming presidential election, driven by concerns over the faltering economy and a sense that our country needs a new direction. Concern over the economy, while a top issue for young people since 2006, has intensified and is now the number one issue this election for nearly half (41%) of 18-29 year olds. The political leanings of young voters have remained steady since Rock the Vote's last poll in February: when asked for whom they would vote for president in November, 56% said Barack Obama and 29% said John McCain.

Read the press release here

Polling Young Voters Volume IX 
20 May 2008

The latest volume of Rock the Vote’s Polling Young Voters takes a look at young voters’ top issues and issue stances, presidential vote choice, and communications habits. The report contains young voter poll results from recent Cook Political Report/R.T. Strategies, The Economist, Harvard Institute of Politics, Democracy Corps, and MTV-CBS News polls.

Rock the Vote Young Voter Poll 
25 Feb 2008

Nationwide Survey of 18-29 year-olds

Polling Young Voters Vol VIII 
19 Feb 2008

The latest volume of Rock the Vote’s Polling Young Voters takes a look at young voters’ level of interest in the 2008 elections, political party identification, top issues, and preferences for president and Congress in 2008. From recent RT Strategies, Democracy Corps, Harris Interactive, Time Magazine, Pew Research Center, and YouGov/Polimetrix polls, this report delves into which 2008 candidates are currently winning support from the large and potentially powerful youth electorate, and which issues are driving them to the polls.

Polling Young Voters, Volume VII 
15 Nov 2007

The latest volume of Polling Young Voters is available. Download the report here. (PDF) Volume VII of Rock the Vote's Polling Young Voters, based on several recent national and statewide polls, takes a look at young voters' level of interest in the 2008 elections, political party identification, primary vote choice, and preferences for president and Congress in 2008.

New Poll: 18-30-Year-Olds to Play Major Role in 2008 Elections, Driven by Concerns Over Iraq and Health Care 
01 Nov 2007

Nov. 1, 2007 – Eighteen- to 30-year-old voters turned out in large numbers for elections in 2004 and 2006 – and according to a new nationwide poll from Rock the Vote, WWE®’s Smackdown Your Vote!®, and Sacred Heart University, that trend is likely to continue in 2008 as younger voters go to the polls motivated by concerns over the war in Iraq, health care, the economy, and the cost of education. The poll found that Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani are currently the top primary choices among 18-30-year-old Democrats and Republicans.

Polling Young Voters, Volume VI – September 2007 
05 Sep 2007

Volume VI of Rock the Vote's Polling Young Voters, based on 10 recent national polls, takes a look at young voters' level of interest in the 2008 elections, political party identification, and preferences for president and Congress in 2008

Polling Young Voters Vol V 
02 Jul 2007

Rock the Vote’s latest round-up of young voter polling is now available, and includes the latest polling on young adults' electoral engagement, top issues, partisan preferences, and 2008 vote choices. Looking at the young adults' responses from several national polls, the new Rock the Vote paper - Polling Young Voters Volume V- finds several trends continuing among this cohort: they are paying attention to and engaged in politics, optimistic about their civic role and the future, growing more and more concerned about the Iraq war, and increasingly identifying with the Democratic Party. Polling Young Voters V includes young adults' responses from recent polling from Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, CBS News/The New York Times/MTV, Pew Research Center, Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, and RT Strategies National Omnibus Poll.

Polling Young Voters Vol IV 
07 May 2007

The latest Rock the Vote analysis of national polls finds young adults' interest in politics is high and that core national security and pocketbook issues are on their minds - but 19 months before the 2008 general election, many young voters are keeping their options open in terms of presidential candidate support.

Polling Young Voters, Volume II: Post Election 2006 
14 Dec 2006

This report outlines findings that the war in Iraq, education, the economy, and health care were the primary issues driving young voters in 2006, as well as an overall desire for a change in the governing country's direction. In addition, while young adults overall voted in favor of Democrats by 20 points, polling indicates that both political parties have potential base voters among youth subsets: African-Americans, Hispanics, and women for Democrats, and young religious and married adults for Republicans. See the news release here.

Young Voter Battleground Poll III 
08 Nov 2006

Nov. 8, 2006 - Turnout among 18-29 year old voters increased by approximately 2 million voters in the 2006 elections compared to 2002, according to an early exit poll analysis released today. Also released, a new bipartisan Rock the Vote poll shows that in 2006 young voters were motivated primarily by a strong desire for change, combined with high levels of contact from campaigns and nonpartisan organizations: 61% of those who were surveyed said they feel the country is on the “wrong track” and 46% reported being contacted by a campaign.

Poll: Young Voter Turnout Increases for Second Major Election in a Row, November 2006 
01 Nov 2006

Turnout among 18-29 year old voters increased by approximately 2 million voters in the 2006 elections compared to 2002, according to an early exit poll analysis released today. Also released, a new bipartisan Rock the Vote poll shows that in 2006 young voters were motivated primarily by a strong desire for change, combined with high levels of contact from campaigns and nonpartisan organizations: 61% of those who were surveyed said they feel the country is on the “wrong track” and 46% reported being contacted by a campaign.

Young Voter Battleground Poll II 
20 Sep 2006

With the 2006 elections just over six weeks away, young voters are most focused on education and the cost of college, jobs and the economy, and the war in Iraq, but are not hearing enough from either parties’ candidates on most of these important issues, according to a new Rock the Vote poll conducted by Ed Goeas of The Tarrance Group and Celinda Lake of Lake Research Partners. The poll, which includes an oversample of young Latinos and young African-Americans, shows that young voters are engaged and eager to hear more from candidates on issues including college affordability, job creation, energy independence, and health care.

Polling Young Voters, Volume I: Pre-Election 2006 
14 Sep 2006

With the 2006 elections just weeks away, Polling Young Voters Volume I outlines the top issues and political attitudes of young voters in the 2006 elections. The new report analyzes polling data from many of America's top pollsters, including The Pew Research Center, Quinnipiac Polling Institute, and Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research.

Young Voter Battleground Poll I 
16 May 2006

Exciting new research by leading pollsters Ed Goeas (R) and Celinda Lake (D) shows how young voters ages 18-30 are thinking about the 2006 elections, how they would vote if the elections were today, what issues are of most concern, and what types of communication from campaigns they are open to.

 

For more information, see Who Are Young Voters. 


Others’ Polling 

Democracy Corps Releases Survey of 1,017 18-29 Year Olds 
30 Jul 2007

A survey of 18-29 year olds from Democracy Corps finds that the young voters are continuing to trend Democratic in party identification and favor Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama to win the 2008 presidential election. In addition, the new survey finds that economic issues - jobs, gas prices, health care - and the Iraq war remain top issues of concern among this electorate.

FMA Poll: Polling Young Republicans- Top Candidate Giuliani, Top Issues Family Values, Abortion, Terrorism, and Iraq 
18 Jul 2007

The 18-34 year olds’ responses from a recent Fabrizio McLaughlin & Associates poll of 2,000 Republicans yield interesting insights into today’s young GOP voters. The new poll finds that core GOP issues – moral values, the war on terrorism, Iraq, immigration, and abortion – resonate strongly with young Republicans, and that 62% say "issue positions" are the most important when deciding for whom to vote in the 2008 presidential contest (compared to 33% who say "leadership qualities" are most important). The survey also bolsters previous findings showing former Mayor Rudy Giuliani garnering the most primary support from young voters, with 38% indicating he is their choice for the nomination - more than 20 points ahead of the closest challenger, Senator John McCain, who garners 15%.

CBS News/New York Times/MTVPoll: More 17- To 29-Year-Olds Paying Attention To 2008 Campaign 
26 Jun 2007

Nearly six in ten (58%) of 17- to 29-year olds say they are paying attention to the 2008 presidential campaign, a major increase from 35% saying the same at this time in 2003, according to a new poll from CBS News/New York Times/MTV. The poll also finds that today's young adults believe they will be a force in the upcoming 2008 election - nearly eight in ten think their generation will have a lot or some impact on who the next president will be - and that the economy and the war are the issues that will matter most in their voting decisions next year. However, younger Americans say Presidential candidates aren't addressing other specific topics of concern enough, including student loans, job training, health care for the uninsured and reducing oil use.

Harvard IOP Poll Finds Obama, Giuliani Lead Primary Race Among 18-24 Year Olds 
17 Apr 2007

A national poll by Harvard University's Institute of Politics finds Rudy Giuliani and Barack Obama as 18-24 year-olds' first choices for President in 2008 among likely young voters of both parties. Regarding the mood of the country, less than one-third (31%) of young people say they approve of the job George W. Bush is doing as President, and 59% believe the country is "off on the wrong track." On issues facing the nation, young adults are very concerned about the war in Iraq and national security, considering both a major issue in the 2008 elections.

Black Youth Vote Survey 
01 Feb 2007

The Black Youth Project at the University of Chicago examines the attitudes, resources, and culture of African American youth ages 15 to 25. The goal is to understand what new factors help to shape or contribute to the social and political attitudes and behaviors of African American youth. Results from their survey of 15 to 25 year olds are below, as well as a factsheet looking at young Black youth and politics.

National Council of La Raza- Young Latino Voter Poll 
07 Nov 2006

A pre-election poll shows that Latinos are clearly fired up about the 2006 election. The survey, from the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), found that half of Latino voters say they are more enthusiastic about voting this year than in previous elections. The survey, conducted by Lake Research Partners and Public Opinion Strategies, also found that education, the economy and jobs, and the war in Iraq continue to be the top concerns for Latinos, in that order. Yet, while only 9% ranked immigration as their top concern, a majority of Latinos (51%), including half of young voters, reported that immigration was the most important or one of the most important issues in deciding their vote.

Harvard IOP Poll Indicates 18-24 Year Olds Poised to Turn Out Big in 2006  
01 Nov 2006

Poll Indicates 18-24 Year Olds Poised to Turn Out Big in 2006

WVWV Poll: Strategies for Turning Out and Persuading Unmarried Women 
26 Sep 2006

A pre-election study examines a critical segment of the electorate: unmarried women. The report states that "the research suggests a GOTV campaign aimed at unmarried women under 50 should be particularly effective, because they exhibit a shift in propensity to vote by the end of our survey, with women under 30 exhibiting the greatest shift...previous research suggests that policy information has its largest impact for women who rarely receive political communication."

MTV/CBS Poll: Young Adults and the Environment 
01 Sep 2006

An MTV/CBS News poll looks at young adults' attitudes about the environment. According to the release, the poll finds that most young Americans age 13 to 24 are at least somewhat concerned about global warming – and the more they know about it, the more concerned about it they are. Though they see global warming as a global problem, many do not see a lot of impact in their own lives. And many believe the environment where they live is in better shape than the world's environment, generally.