72 Percent of Young Adults in New Mexico Plan to Vote in Presidential Election, Only 5 Percent Say Charisma, Likeability Will Determine Vote

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Oct 29, 2012, 06:30 ET

Facebook, text messages top GOTV tools for young people in New Mexico 'Pledge to GO Vote'

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Generation Opportunity, with over 4 million fans on Facebook and direct grassroots engagement with over a quarter million young Americans, today released additional results from their comprehensive New Mexico-specific survey of young adults ages 18-29. The poll found that 72 percent of young New Mexicans plan to vote in the presidential election, only 37 percent are satisfied with elected officials in Washington, and that 81 percent believe key life decisions have been delayed by the poor national economy. The poll also found that of the "Get Out the Vote" (GOTV) reminder tools that will have an impact on young voter turnout in New Mexico, Facebook ranked first at 46 percent and text messages ranked second at 38 percent. Only 10 percent of New Mexico's Millennials thought a phone call would be effective – a clear indication that smartphones and other mobile devices have reached a point of heavy market penetration within the demographic. Generation Opportunity has almost 20,000 followers across the state of New Mexico.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121023/DC98728)
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110805/DC48058LOGO)

In addition to the poll results, Generation Opportunity has launched the Pledge to GO Vote Campaign aimed at further increasing the already growing enthusiasm and interest among young adults to participate in the presidential election. Generation Opportunity is encouraging its supporters, their friends, and all those within their networks to Pledge to GO Vote. Read more about the initiative and sign the pledge here at GenerationOpportunity.org/vote.

Watch the video at bit.ly/PledgeToGOVote.

NEW MEXICO'S YOUNG ADULTS – VOTER ENGAGEMENT

72% of New Mexico Millennials plan to vote in the election for President this year.
Only 37% believe that today's political leaders reflect the interests of young Americans.
Which will be the more important to you in casting your vote for President in 2012?
- 52% - A candidate's position on issues and a record in public office;
- 5% - A candidate's personal characteristics, like charisma and likeability;
- 35% - They are of equal importance (accepted only this response);
- 3% - Neither is important / something else;
- 5% - Do not know/cannot judge (accepted only this response).
53% agreed they will learn more about the policy positions of the presidential candidates in 2012 than they did in 2008.

NEW MEXICO'S YOUNG ADULTS – EFFECTIVE GET OUT THE VOTE (GOTV) TOOLS

Which of the following, if any, would make young people more likely to vote? (Accepted multiple responses) (Randomized):
- 46% - Facebook reminder message;
- 38% - Text message reminder;
- 31% - Public service announcement;
- 28% - Email reminder;
- 10% - Phone call;
- 20% - None of the above (accepted only this response);
- 4% - Do not know/cannot judge (accepted only this response).
From which of the following sources do you get your news? (Accepted multiple responses) (Randomized):
- 50% - Network news programs;
- 47% - Friends/family;
- 41% - Cable news programs;
- 39% - Online newspapers;
- 38% - Facebook;
- 35% - Specific websites focusing on topics that interest you;
- 35% - Print newspapers;
- 33% - Radio;
- 21% - Twitter;
- 19% - Comedy news programs (The Daily Show, The Colbert Report);
- 17% - Online magazines;
- 16% - Print magazines;
- 15% - Blogs;
- 3% - Other;
- 3% - None of the above (accepted only this response).

NEW MEXICO'S YOUNG ADULTS – ON THE DIRECTION OF THE COUNTRY

Only 32% of New Mexico Millennials agree with the statement "generally speaking, things in the United States are heading in the right direction."
52% are not confident that America will still be a global leader in five years if the USA continues along the same path as the last few years.

NEW MEXICO'S YOUNG ADULTS – ON ELECTED OFFICIALS AND NATIONAL PRIORITIES – STUDENT LOANS, ENERGY, HEALTHCARE

64% of New Mexico Millennials believe the availability of more quality, full-time jobs upon graduation is more important than lower student loan interest rates.
60% say the availability of more quality, full-time jobs with health insurance plans is more important than the ability to stay on their parents' health insurance plans until they are 26.
66% would increase production of domestic American energy sources like oil, natural gas, and coal if given the opportunity to set America's fiscal priorities.
75% would decrease federal spending if given the opportunity to set America's fiscal priorities.
73% prefer reducing federal spending over raising taxes on individuals to balance the budget.

NEW MEXICO'S YOUNG ADULTS – THE IMPACT OF THE ECONOMY ON FUTURE DREAMS AND CAREERS

68% of New Mexico Millennials believe that the lack of job opportunities is shrinking the American middle class.
Only 27% say that the economic policies coming out of Washington are helping them.
81% had planned to but now might delay or not make at all a major life change or move forward on a major purchase due to the current state of the economy (Accepted multiple responses) (Randomized):
- 33% - Buy their own place;
- 31% - Go back to school/getting more education or training;
- 26% - Save for retirement;
- 25% - Start a family;
- 22% - Pay off student loans or other debt;
- 22% - Change jobs/cities;
- 19% - Get married;
- 16% - None of the above (accepted only this response);
- 3% - Do not know/cannot judge (accepted only this response).

STATEMENT BY PAUL T. CONWAY, PRESIDENT OF GENERATION OPPORTUNITY

"The key concern among young adults in New Mexico mirrors that of their counterparts across the country – the creation of more meaningful, full-time jobs in career paths of their choice which allow them to fully use their skills and education. Young people in New Mexico are very concerned for their friends and families and know America must change the current economic status quo. They understand that periods of unemployment, a series of meaningless part-time jobs, and full-time jobs outside their areas of training will never help them achieve their career goals and dreams," said Paul T. Conway, President of Generation Opportunity and former Chief of Staff of the United States Department of Labor under Secretary Elaine L. Chao. "Over the course of the next week, throughout New Mexico, young adults will be using their social networks to encourage their friends and families to vote for a change and for candidates whose policies will create more opportunity while putting America back on the right track."

METHODOLOGY

For Generation Opportunity, the polling company, inc./WomanTrend, conducted a statewide online survey of 401 New Mexico adults ages 18-29 between July 27 – August 13, 2012. Randomly selected online opt-in panel participants were sent an invitation to the survey via email, which included a secure link to the online questionnaire. Quotas were used to ensure the survey was representative of the larger 18-29 year old statewide population with regard to race, region, and gender. The data were NOT weighted. The overall sampling margin of error for the survey is +/-4.4% at a 95% confidence interval, meaning that the data obtained would not differ more than 4.4 percentage points in 95 out of 100 similar samples obtained.

ABOUT GENERATION OPPORTUNITY

Generation Opportunity is the largest non-profit, non-partisan organization in the United States engaging and mobilizing young Americans (ages 18-29) on important economic issues facing the nation. Since its launch in June of 2011, Generation Opportunity has operated on a combined strategy of advanced social media tactics and field tactics to reach young Americans across the country.

Generation Opportunity is actively organizing young adults across America through grassroots tactics, voter registration, and voter turnout efforts in states like Ohio, Virginia, Maine, North Carolina and Florida, engaging over a quarter million young adults. The organization's social media platforms have amassed a total fan base of more than 4 million. Facebook pages post links to relevant articles and reports from sources ranging from the federal Government Accountability Office (GAO), to The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Brookings Institution, The Wall Street Journal, The Huffington Post, and The Heritage Foundation.