Three Million Youth Votes Up for Grabs
New research from Demos highlights that three million young voters remain undecided in the upcoming General Election. The Tune In, Turn Out report, part of the Swing the Vote campaign, outlines key issues influencing young voters and suggests changes to boost youth turnout.
Swinging the Vote
A survey of 1,000 young adults aged 18 to 25 reveals that nearly half (44%) are undecided about their vote, equating to three million potential votes. This demographic could significantly sway election results. Notably, 77% plan to vote, with young men expressing more political interest than women (48% versus 30%).
The Big Issues
The survey identified top concerns among young voters:
- Living costs – 69%
- Affordable housing – 62%
- NHS – 58%
- Unemployment – 58%
- Gap between rich and poor – 52%
Youth-specific issues like guaranteed jobs or apprenticeships (45%) and reducing higher education costs (41%) are critical for driving youth participation. Young voters prefer positive voting for policies they agree with, rather than opposition voting.
Political Leanings and Desires
Contrary to past assumptions, young people are not overwhelmingly left-leaning. They support traditional left policies and hold liberal views but also favor individual responsibility and see limits on government aid.
Key Desires:
- Action on priority issues
- Clear, jargon-free communication
- Representative parliament with diverse backgrounds
Recommendations
### For Politicians: - Develop clear policies affecting youth - Engage through online platforms and relatable venues - Encourage diversity in political representation
For Social Media and Organizations:
- Target outreach to less likely voters
- Utilize social media for voter engagement
System Recommendations:
- Implement conduct codes for political debates
- Allow same-day voter registration
- Explore online voting options
For more on how young people engage in civic matters, explore our resources on Civic Engagement.