Harvard Poll of Young People Shows Broad Interest in Politics, Public Service
By Annabel Gould - Oct 24th, 2008 at 10:49 amA new study released by Harvard University’s Institute of Politics provides some extensive data on young voters two weeks out from the presidential election. Some highlights:
- Almost six in ten (59 percent) of 18-24 year-olds say they are personally interested in engaging in some form of public service to help the country.
- More than half of young people today say the economy is the most important issue to them–ten times higher than last year.
- 57 percent of young people supporting a presidential candidate say they are interested in volunteering for their candidate’s campaign.
- 69 percent of 18-to-24-year-olds say they see political engagement as an effective way of solving our nation’s problems.
The study’s findings show that young adults are becoming politically involved and engaged in record numbers. Their enthusiasm for public service is particularly noteworthy given the chronically low approval ratings of our country’s political institutions; it’s comforting to know that there is a generation of politically engaged and energized citizens who are poised to begin changing things.
Hopefully, the optimism reflected in this study will extend past the election and young people will commit themselves to careers in public service in record numbers.
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