With the 2024 election on the horizon, college students are stepping up in a big way - over 90% say they plan to vote. But what issues matter most to them, and which candidates are winning their support?
In this report, we break down where students stand, who they're voting for, and why. We'll also dig into how political differences affect friendships and family relationships and what students hope the next president will bring to the table.
Key takeaways
- Over 90% of college students plan to vote in the 2024 presidential election.
- 68% of students plan to vote for Kamala Harris, compared to 32% for Donald Trump.
- 14% of students feel they are voting for the "least terrible" candidate.
- Women's rights and reproductive health, as well as the economy and jobs, are the top issues for college students.
- 1 in 4 student's relationships with family/friends suffer because of differing political views.
- 1 in 5 students have cut people out of their lives due to differences in political opinion.
College students' top election issues and voting plans
Voting intent and barriers among college students
- Over 90% of college students plan to vote in the 2024 presidential election.
- The primary reasons college students do not intend to vote:
- Don't support any of the candidates: 53%
- Feel their vote won't make a difference: 44%
- Don't feel informed enough about the candidates or issues: 39%
- 14% of college students dislike all candidates but feel they are voting for the "least terrible" option.
- Nearly 10% of college students feel they are not informed about the candidates and issues in the 2024 presidential election.
- 17% of college students prefer not to discuss politics with friends and family.
- 1 in 4 student's relationships with family/friends suffer because of differing political views.
- 1 in 5 students have cut people out of their lives due to differences in political opinion.
Key issues by political group and gender
- 95% of liberal college students intend to vote, compared to 85% of conservative students and 74% of moderate students.
- Most important issues for conservative students in the 2024 presidential election:
- Economy and jobs: 54%
- Affordable housing: 22%
- Gun control laws: 21%
- Most important issues for liberal students in the 2024 presidential election:
- Women's rights and reproductive health: 59%
- Healthcare access and affordability: 32%
- Gun control laws: 28%
- 93% of female students intend to vote, compared to 88% of male students.
- Most important issues for female students in the 2024 presidential election:
- Women's rights and reproductive health: 55%
- Economy and jobs: 35%
- Healthcare access and affordability: 31%
- Most important issues for male students in the 2024 presidential election:
- Economy and jobs: 43%
- Healthcare access and affordability: 28%:
- Affordable housing: 25%
Candidate preferences
- 68% of college students plan to vote for Kamala Harris compared to 32% planning to vote for Donald Trump.
- Male college students' voting preference::
- Kamala Harris: 56%
- Donald Trump: 37%
- Female college students' voting preference:
- Kamala Karris: 69%
- Donald Trump: 27%
- Male college students' voting preference::
Reasons why college students are voting for Kamala Harris:
"She doesn't believe wild conspiracy theories and believes that costs of living are out of control."
- 19-year-old female college student
"I like that she's so outspoken about abortion rights and is fighting to get it legalized nationally. I also like her focus on the middle class (or lack thereof) and her hopes of increasing it."
- 38-year-old female college student
"She seems the most competent and willing to actually make a change. She seems as though she genuinely cares about the state of our country."
- 20-year-old female college student
"She's a morally decent, thoughtful, and intelligent leader with a strong work ethic and mind towards the truth. I agree with most of her policy positions and trust her to do what's best for the American people."
- 19-year-old female college student
"She's not Donald Trump, and there's no way a third party can win this year."
- 24-year-old male college student
Reasons why college students are voting for Donald Trump:
"I care the most about the economy, and I trust him more with that."
23-year-old female college student
"He is willing to speak his mind, very controversial, fosters a sense of trust, and is reliable."
- 26-year-old male college student
"I believe that Trump has more experience when it comes to running a country, while Kamala has me feeling anxious with her indecisiveness on some topics."
- 20-year-old male college student
"He is a strong leader and will restore order in our country and will fix the economy."
- 21-year-old female college student
"He proved in 2016 that he can help improve the economy that has gone downhill over the years. I just want to be able to afford to live."
- 22-year-old female college student
Hopes for the 2024 election outcome
"I hope it will bring legislation for more equitable rights to marginalized groups."
- 19-year-old female college student
"Peace, prosperity, and income equality for all."
- 35-year-old female college student
"Better support for the middle class and taxing the rich fairly."
- 23-year-old male college student
"Reasonable leaders: non-corrupt, non-traitors, people of moral character."
- 28-year-old male college student
"I hope the outcome of the 2024 election will be an end to political polarization."
- 20-year old female college student
Methodology
For this study, we surveyed 1,000 American college students to explore their voting status and viewpoints. The average age was 24; 55% of respondents were women, 42% were male, and 4% were non-binary.
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