A growing number of young people are losing faith in the country’s political system, according to a new poll from the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School. John Della Volpe, the institute’s director of polling, joined MS NOW’s “Morning Joe” on Wednesday to break down the results and discuss the key findings.
“This is the 52nd survey that we’ve conducted, and I don’t think we’ve seen a survey where younger people are so concerned about the future of our country,” Della Volpe said, noting that 59% of young Americans told pollsters they believe the U.S. is on the wrong track. “We’ve never seen a number higher than that,” he said.
The institute surveyed 2,018 young people ages 18 to 29 between March 26 and April 3, with interviews conducted in English and Spanish. The margin of error for the total sample is ± 2.74%.
Della Volpe also highlighted another record-low reading from the survey: the level of trust young people have in their own government. Only 15% said they have faith the federal government would do the right thing all or most of the time.
One of the chief concerns causing that low level of trust, according to the poll, is the economy. Roughly half of young Americans told pollsters that they are personally affected “a lot” by inflation and rising housing prices. Nearly the same amount defined both of these issues as urgent national crises.
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The youth polling said America’s young people are not “apathetic,” telling MS NOW the data shows they “care deeply” about political and economic issues. The concern, Della Volpe said, “is that there is a lack of confidence and agency that the system can actually make the changes that are required for people, not just to even live a good life, but even just to survive economically day to day.”
Another topic top of mind for young voters, he said, was the Iran war. The survey found 55% of young Americans believe the ongoing military operation is not in the best interest of the American people.
“Beyond this polling, I’m listening to young Americans every single day,” Della Volpe said. “I’m having conversations with them, and the war is still the driver that is taking up probably 40% of all the conversations in terms of how people are processing the news. It’s very, very present.”
“You’ve got cost of living, gas, housing and now the war. This is a stack of issues that are impacting their faith in the country and also their own mental health, which is something we have to continue to keep in mind,” he said.
You can watch Della Volpe’s full appearance on “Morning Joe” in the clip at the top of the page.
Allison Detzel is an editor/producer for MS NOW. She was previously a segment producer for “AYMAN” and “The Mehdi Hasan Show.”