Whether or not you believe a Blue Wave is going to crash down across American politics like an army of wave emoji-covered Twitter accounts, pollsters think midterm election voter turnout might be higher than usual next week. And if you’re between the ages of 18 and 29, that high turnout might be “historic,” all thanks to Kim and Kanye’s fictional breakup. Just kidding! Kids have such fun.
Time Magazine reports that a new poll from the Institute of Politics at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government found that 40 percent of voters in the “youth” age group said they will “definitely vote” in next week’s midterm elections. That’s a real uptick from 2014, where less than 20 percent of adults under 30 bothered to vote—come to think of it, I’m not sure I did then, either—and competitive with the 2016 presidential election, where 46.1 percent of adults under 30 voted.
The poll surveyed 2,003 voters between October 3 and October 17, and found that 54 percent of respondents who said they were likely to vote were Democrats, with 46 percent identifying as Republicans. Unfornuately, it seems that latter group has increased since the spring, presumably because Ted Cruz’s face is so delectably smushy, and it would be such a shame to see it less frequently.
Also, nestled in there is this fascinating little tidbit:
Beyond labels and definitions of political systems, we polled young Americans on views related to several issues that are connected to the democratic socialist agenda. We found majority support for several, including:
A federal jobs guarantee that would provide funding so that every American would be guaranteed a job paying at least $15 an hour and offering paid family/sick leave and health benefits: 56% support, 20% oppose among all 18-29 year-olds (18% don’t know); 63% support, 24% oppose among likely voters (10% don’t know).
Eliminating tuition and fees at public four-year colleges and universities for students from families that make up to $125,000 per year and making community college tuition-free for all income levels: 56% support, 20% oppose among all 18- 29 year-olds (18% don’t know); 62% support, 25% oppose among likely voters (11% don’t know).
Single Payer Health Care (also referred Medicare for all) where the federal government would cover all the health care expenses of individuals: 55% support, 21% oppose among all 18-29 year-olds (19% don’t know); 67% support, 23% oppose among likely voters (8% don’t know).
The kids are alright.
Though, trust no poll, as I always say, except for this one.