Although it might be their first or second time casting a ballot in a presidential election, novelty does n’t really add up to excitement for young voters in Georgia.
More than a hundred people younger than 30 who were interviewed Tuesday by The Atlanta Journal- Constitution said they’re certainly enthused about the possibility of either the Democratic member, President Joe Biden, or the Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump, as our nation’s future leader. The majority of people said they would make their decisions based on who appeared to be the least dangerous, but some others remained opened to a prospect from a third party.
” I do n’t like any of them, but there are no better selections”, said Cloud Lewis, a 19- yr- old scholar from Decatur studying at the University of Tennessee. ” I just wish I was n’t being represented by old men”.
A fresh AJC poll released on Tuesday before the political debate in Atlanta reflects that opinion. Among likely voters in Georgia between the ages of 18- 29, just 12 % said they would support Biden, while 37 % said they would vote for Trump.
The voting bloc was also the least optimistic about the country’s future, with 86 % of voters saying they think the country is heading in the wrong direction. More than half ( 57 % ) of respondents said they are financially worse off than they were a year ago, and 35 % said they are most concerned about inflation and the cost of living.
The results of this smaller sample of voters ‘ polling are less accurate than the AJC’s broader survey of all voters, but the frustration and despair suggest that these results reflect both national poll and the opinions of interviews with young Americans.
Lewis expressed concern that he might never have the funds to purchase a home. I simply want a stable job market that is n’t so expensive. It feels like you have to fight for yourself”, he said.
The CHIPS and Science Act, which is intended to reintroduce chip producing to the United States, and the Inflation Reduction Act, which provided funds to reduce carbon emissions, have been passed by the Biden presidency and Congress. Despite the court’s rejection, Biden has attempted to accept some student loans.
There is a disconnect between the procedures put forth by the Biden administration and how voters perceive the president, according to Nathan Price, an associate professor of political science at the University of North Georgia.
They are experiencing more economic stress than simply student loans and living expenses. The belief is that it’s hard to get a really nice career, even with a degree”, he said. There is criticism that their parents wo n’t be able to provide the same economic opportunities as them.
Despite the wave of protests in the flower on university campuses nationwide, only two younger voters explicitly mentioned the Israel-Hamas conflict as a major concern.
We have overestimated how significant the Middle East conflict is to the average voting because of the protests. It was a huge topic on university campuses. And it is a set of some of Biden’s coalition”, Price said. However, he claimed that young voters are more interested in financial troubles.
Their assistance is sluggish even among those who have chosen Biden as their presidential candidate.
” Biden is the best solution we’ve got. The race’s alternative is much worse than what is available right now. I’d rather had Joe”, said Truman Gephardt, 18, of Sandy Springs.
” Biden is the lesser of two evils. I’m never really excited about him, but I want to stay Trump out of office”, said 25- yr- old Jovany Loredo, who lives in Grant Park.
” I do n’t like either, but I’m going with Biden. Trump is n’t the best for Black people and people of color”, said Reynoldstown resident Sean Taylor, 18, who is Black.
Trump’s activists were more vocal, citing his financial plans as a marketing level.
Ryan Koeper, 21, who is a student at Auburn University, said he has been struggling with a higher cost of living and energy costs.
” Rents will move up along with lower fees under Trump”, he said.
Increasingly, those who have voted as Republicans in the past indicated they were opened to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who is running as an independent. In the AJC surveys, 30 % of young voters said they supported Kennedy.
” I do n’t heavily lean towards either ( Trump or Biden )”, said Carly Loggins, 23, who lives in Barrow County. ” If I had to, it would be Trump. But I plan on voting for Kennedy”.
Her voting comes from “what I’ve seen on TikTok and social media, especially— merely hearing the things he’s talked about and the knowledge that he has.”
Landon Chavis, 25, who resides in Jeff Davis County in South Georgia, said he feels “obligated to vote for Trump” because he is a registered Democratic but is interested in Kennedy Jr.
” He’s like a walking encyclopedia of knowledge”, he said.
Chavis, who was elected to the Hazlehurst City Council last month, said he is encouraging his friends and fellow citizens to become more informed and involved in this vote.
” There has been an erosion of confidence in the leader. Simply put, individuals must voting. Nothing can be done while sitting on the couch. And nothing can be done by being a console hero on Facebook”, he said.
” You have to come take action, and that’s by voting. Therefore, whether you believe in the program or not, you need to get vote”, he said.
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© 2024 The Atlanta Journal- Constitution
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