Generation Opportunity Announces New Florida Poll Results of 18 to 29 Year Old Floridians

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Aug 28, 2012, 04:13 ET

89 Percent of Sunshine State Millennials Say the Poor Economy Impacts Daily Life, 84 Percent Say Key Life Decisions in Jeopardy

Only 34 percent of Florida's 18-29 year olds say today's leaders represent their interests, while 71 percent intend to vote in the presidential election

TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Generation Opportunity, the largest non-profit, non-partisan organization in Florida and the United States engaging and mobilizing young Americans (18-29 years old) on the important economic issues facing the nation, released new polling data today on Millennials as the 2012 presidential election nears. Since its launch in June of 2011, Generation Opportunity has amassed a following of 4 million fans on Facebook and is actively organizing Millennials across the country through grassroots tactics, voter registration, and voter turnout efforts.

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

"These numbers should serve as a sobering wake-up call to elected officials who continue to pursue an agenda that stifles job creation and stymies economic growth. The failed economic policies emanating from the White House are literally devastating an entire generation of Floridians. Through no fault of their own, millions of Sunshine State Millennials – ages 18-29 – are suffering the consequences of failed leadership in Washington, DC," stated Paul T. Conway, president of Generation Opportunity and former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Labor. "This is a savvy, hard-working generation of patriotic Americans and they know they are getting a raw deal. They're not satisfied with the status quo, don't feel like their elected officials are looking out for their best interests, and plan to make their voices heard in November."

For Generation Opportunity, the polling company, inc./WomanTrend, conducted a statewide online survey of 524 Florida adults ages 18-29 between July 27 and 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.

89% of Florida's 18-29 year olds changed some aspect of their day-to-day lives because of the current state of the economy (Accepted multiple responses) (Randomized):
- 56% - reduced entertainment budget;
- 50% - cut back on gifts for friends and family;
- 46% - reduced grocery/food budget;
- 42% - skipped a vacation;
- 39% - taken active steps to reduce home energy costs;
- 36% - driven less/relied more on public transit;
- 35% - tried to find an additional job;
- 31% - changed living situation (moved in with family, taken extra roommates, downgraded apartment or home);
- 28% - sold personal items or property (cars, electronic appliances, or other possessions);
- 20% - skipped a wedding, family reunion, or other significant social event;
- 2% - Other, specified;
- 7% - None of the above (accepted only this response);
- 4% - Do not know/cannot judge (accepted only this response).

84% of 18-29 year olds in the Sunshine State have delayed or might not do at least one major life event due to the current state of the economy (Accepted multiple responses) (Randomized):
- 42% - Buy my own place;
- 31% - Start a family;
- 30% - Save for retirement;
- 29% - Go back to school/getting more education or training;
- 28% - Pay off student loans or other debt;
- 27% - Change jobs/cities;
- 20% - Get married;
- 11% - None of the above (accepted only this response);
- 6% - Do not know/cannot judge (accepted only this response).

83% of Florida's 18-29 year olds have had their summer plans negatively impacted because of the current economic conditions (Accepted multiple responses) (Randomized):
- 54% - cut back on entertainment and non-essential social spending like nice meals, spa treatments, bars, and going to the movies;
- 35% - had to skip taking a vacation here in the United States;
- 24% - had to work all summer without any vacations;
- 24% - will spend the summer looking for a job until one opens up;
- 22% - had to skip taking a vacation abroad to another country;
- 22% - will spend the summer working a job you do not like just to make ends meet;
- 1% - Other, specified;
- 13% - None of the above (accepted only this response);
- 4% - Do not know/cannot judge (accepted only this response).
64% of Sunshine State Millennials believe the availability of more quality, full-time jobs upon graduation is more important than lower student loan interest rates.
74% believe that the lack of job opportunities is shrinking the American middle class.
Only 34% believe that today's political leaders reflect the interests of young Americans.
71% of 18-29 year olds in Florida plan to vote in the election for President this year.

ABOUT GENERATION OPPORTUNITY
Generation Opportunity is a non-profit, non-partisan 501 (c)(4) organization that seeks to engage everyone from young adults, to early career professionals, college students, young mothers and fathers, construction workers, current service men and women, veterans, entrepreneurs, and all Americans who find themselves dissatisfied with the status quo and willing to create a better tomorrow.

Generation Opportunity operates on a strategy that combines advanced social media tactics with proven field tactics to reach Americans 18-29. The organization's social media platforms – "Being American by GO," "The Constitution by GO," "Gas Prices Are Too Damn High," "Lower Taxes by GO," "Keep Texas Awesome," "Jersey Proud," and "We Like Small Government" on Facebook – have amassed a total fan base of more than 4 million. The 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.

Read about Generation Opportunity here; visit "Being American by GO" on Facebook here, "The Constitution by GO" on Facebook here, "Gas Prices Are Too Damn High" on Facebook here, "Lower Taxes by GO" on Facebook here, "Keep Texas Awesome" on Facebook here, "Jersey Proud" on Facebook here, and "We Like Small Government" on Facebook here.

For our Spanish-language page – Generación Oportunidad – click here.

CONTACT:
Matthew Faraci – 202-997-1636 | EMAIL
David Pasch – 202-230-7947 | EMAIL

SOURCE Generation Opportunity