Article by Blake Noe, TPT Staff Writer

With the presidential election getting closer and closer each day, the youth vote is playing a pivotal role in the election. Let’s take a look at that role.

According to a poll by the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School, more than half of 18-to-29-year-olds say they definitely will be voting in the election. The same poll found that a permanent ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War, economic concerns, and the decline in confidence of public institutions are the top issues for youth voters.

The same poll also found that President Biden leads former President Trump by eight percentage points, with that amount rising to nineteen percentage points. However, with independent candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West, Biden’s lead over Trump among young voters sinks the 13 percentage points. In addition, the poll found that most young Americans believe there is a crisis at the Southern Border, while at the same time, youth believe immigrants improve American culture. The poll also says that only 9% of young Americans say the country is heading in the right direction, with economic concerns and reproductive freedoms being top of mind for voters.

Overall, young voters overwhelming support President Biden, but his support among this group is not as large as it was in 2020. The same Harvard poll was conducted in the 2020 election cycle and found that Biden’s support among young voters was at 23 points against Trump and 30 points among likely voters.

In conclusion, President Biden has a lot of work to do to earn more support from young voters. I feel that his age is the biggest concern among youth, which is why his support is not as large as in 2020, but I do feel that he can do it and win the election.

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