Survey: Young Virginia Voters Fully Engaged in Presidential Election

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Oct 26, 2012, 04:22 ET

Generation Opportunity poll finds that Facebook and text messages are top GOTV tools as young Virginia adults 'Pledge to GO Vote'

NORFOLK, Va., Oct. 26, 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 Virginia-specific survey of young adults ages 18-29. The poll found that 78 percent of young Virginians plan to vote in the presidential election, only 35 percent are satisfied with elected officials in Washington, and that 77 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 Virginia, Facebook ranked first at 60 percent and text messages ranked second at 49 percent. Only 13 percent of Virginia's Millennials thought a phone message 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 over 100,000 followers across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

(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.

VIRGINIA'S YOUNG ADULTS – VOTER ENGAGEMENT

78% of Virginia Millennials plan to vote in the election for President this year.
Only 35% 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?
- 57% - A candidate's position on issues and a record in public office;
- 5% - A candidate's personal characteristics, like charisma and likeability;
- 30% - They are of equal importance (accepted only this response);
- 1% - Neither is important / something else;
- 6% - Do not know/cannot judge (accepted only this response).
51% agreed they will learn more about the policy positions of the presidential candidates in 2012 than they did in 2008.

VIRGINIA'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):
- 60% - Facebook reminder message;
- 49% - Text message reminder;
- 35% - Email reminder;
- 31% - Public service announcement;
- 13% - Phone call;
- 16% - None of the above (accepted only this response);
- 9% - Do not know/cannot judge (accepted only this response).

VIRGINIA'S YOUNG ADULTS – ON THE DIRECTION OF THE COUNTRY

Only 30% of Virginia Millennials agree with the statement "generally speaking, things in the United States are heading in the right direction."
51% 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.

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

64% of Virginia Millennials believe the availability of more quality, full-time jobs upon graduation is more important than lower student loan interest rates.
62% 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.
80% would decrease federal spending if given the opportunity to set America's fiscal priorities.
70% prefer reducing federal spending over raising taxes on individuals to balance the budget.

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

75% of Virginia Millennials believe that the lack of job opportunities is shrinking the American middle class.
Only 26% say that the economic policies coming out of Washington are helping them.
77% 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):
- 42% - Buy their own place;
- 29% - Go back to school/getting more education or training;
- 29% - Pay off student loans or other debt;
- 27% - Start a family;
- 26% - Save for retirement;
- 21% - Change jobs/cities;
- 17% - Get married;
- 20% - 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

"For young Virginians, the central issue of the 2012 presidential election will be the poor economy, the lack of economic opportunity, and which candidate has the record and experience to allow the private sector to create more meaningful, full-time jobs. Their interest in jobs is sophisticated and goes far beyond self-interest – they are concerned about the day-to-day economic hardships their families and friends are trying to manage," said Paul T. Conway, President of Generation Opportunity and former Chief of Staff of the United States Department of Labor. "Over the course of the next week, they will be intensely active through their social media networks discussing the candidates, their qualifications, and the need to make a change – after all, they know their futures depend on the vote they cast."

Mr. Conway served as a Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources for the Commonwealth of Virginia and worked extensively on issues related to health care reform, welfare reform, and other policy efforts designed to empower individuals through opportunity while ending cycles of dependency on government.

METHODOLOGY

For Generation Opportunity, the polling company, inc./WomanTrend, conducted a statewide online survey of 566 Virginia 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.