Growing Skepticism Among Young Voters
Recent national surveys indicate a rise in skepticism among younger voters regarding America’s founding principles, the merits of higher education, and significant divides over free speech and political violence. Interestingly, many respondents seem more open to justifying violent actions in specific political situations.
The Young America Foundation (YAF) published results from its Fall 2025 national survey this week. This survey explored how voters aged 18 to 29 perceive various issues, such as political violence, free speech, and economic mobility. Conducted by Echelon Insights, it gathered opinions from 1,021 registered young voters nationwide, highlighting shifts in viewpoints since January.
According to the data, a majority of young voters, around 79%, believe most speech— even very conservative opinions— should be protected. However, this support diminishes for speech deemed harmful. For example, 42% of respondents think that negative racial or ethnic comments should fall under free speech protections, and 38% agree about speech that glorifies violence. Notably, about 60% feel such speech should be reported to employers, with 30% suggesting that political violence might be acceptable to curb this kind of expression.
One question addressed comments made by conservative figure Charlie Kirk during a speaking event at Utah Valley University, related to the assassination on September 10th. While 70% of young voters believe that killing someone for their opinions is not justifiable, 22% felt that Kirk’s statements might have put him at risk for violence. A stark ideological division was evident, with 90% of conservatives disapproving of violence, whereas only 49% of liberals concurred. Surprisingly, 42% of liberal respondents thought his views contributed to the assassination.
The poll also revealed that a substantial number of young voters—31% overall and 53% among liberals—think society might benefit from excluding conservative voices from public discourse. Additionally, 51% of young voters feel comfortable sharing their political opinions most of the time, a decline from 65% earlier in the year. Almost a quarter mentioned feeling compelled to speak out, which could indicate rising frustration.
Beyond political discussions, sentiments about national pride and foundational ideals were assessed. A small but notable 38% of young voters now report rarely or never feeling proud of the U.S., an increase from 32% earlier this year. Only 35% claim to feel proud of their country most or all of the time, while 25% feel that way occasionally. There was also a slight decrease in pride regarding their generation, from 33% to 29% since the last survey.
When reflecting on the country’s progress, two-thirds of respondents believe that America has not lived up to its founding ideals, with just 5% asserting the country fully embodies these principles. Young liberals displayed heightened pessimism, with 55% feeling the nation strays far from its ideals, in contrast to 24% of moderates and 18% of conservatives.
Many young voters express concerns over their economic futures compared to their parents. Nearly half, at 47%, feel they have fewer economic opportunities than their parents, while only about a quarter, 28%, report having more. Notably, 21% of young white voters believe they have greater opportunities than their parents, compared to 41% of young black voters and 47% of young Hispanic voters. Despite these concerns, a majority, 59%, remain hopeful about achieving their financial aspirations, although 31% lack confidence.
Regarding higher education, opinions are mixed. While 61% of current college students perceive their degree as worthwhile, only 38% of those holding degrees and not enrolled in school share this view. Additionally, 37% of all respondents question the value of their college degree, and 14% are uncertain.
Finally, the YAF survey examines anticipated voter engagement in future elections. Nearly 70% of young liberals and 64% of young conservatives report being very likely to vote in the 2026 midterm elections, but only 39% of young moderates feel the same. If an election were to occur today, 50% of young voters would likely support the Democratic candidate in a typical congressional vote, while 37% would opt for the Republican candidate, leaving 13% undecided.
