Young Democrats Show Little Enthusiasm for Midterm Elections

A new study of 18-29 year olds from Harvard's Institute of Politics has some troubling news for Democrats as they gear up for the 2010 midterm elections.

Asked how likely it is they will vote in the midterms, just 35 percent of young Democrats said they will "definitely be voting." Forty-one percent of young Republicans, by contrast, vowed to cast a ballot.

Young Americans who voted for John McCain in the 2008 presidential election were more likely than those who voted for President Obama to say they would vote in the midterms. High turnout among young supporters was crucial to Mr. Obama's election and also boosted Congressional Democrats in 2008.

A separate Gallup survey suggested a similar enthusiasm gap. Only 24 percent of registered Democrats overall said they are "very enthusiastic" about voting in the midterms compared to 42 percent of Republicans. Democrats did have a slight edge when voters were asked which party's generic candidate they would support if the election were held today.

Among the Harvard poll's other findings were that 60 percent are concerned they won't be able to meet their bills and obligations in the current economy. Forty-five percent of college students are worried they won't be able to stay in college, while more than half of the young people surveyed are concerned about affording health care and a place to live.

The U.S. military came out on top when young people were asked who they trust to do the right thing, with 53 percent saying the military would do the right thing at least most of the time. Next came the Supreme Court (45 percent), the president (44 percent), the United Nations (40 percent), and the federal government (29 percent).

At the bottom of the list were the traditional media and cable news, both at 17 percent, and Wall Street executives, at 11 percent.

President Obama maintains his support among young people, with 56 percent saying they approve of his performance. Democrats in Congress have a 42 percent approval rating, and Republicans in Congress come in at 32 percent.

Four in ten of the young people surveyed described themselves as independent of a political party. Thirty-six percent call themselves Democrats and 23 percent said they are Republicans.