86% Of Millennials Feel Ignored By Presidential Candidates
As you watch the presidential debates, do you find the current presidential candidates talking about issues that matter most to you?
If not, you’re in agreement with the vast majority of recent college graduates, according to a survey of millennials by GenFKD.
According to a recent press release, millennials account for 36 percent of eligible voters, the largest demographic in the 2016 election. However, 86 percent of those ages 18 to 34 believe this year’s presidential candidates are not addressing them or their key issues.
GenFKD polled 752 millennials through Survey Monkey to find out which issues concern them most and if they felt their concerns were adequately acknowledged in the national debate. Such issues include jobs and economic growth (19 percent), climate change (14 percent), healthcare (11 percent) and student debt (10%).
“Millennials are clearly concerned about the economy they will inherit, and the opportunities available to them,” said Christopher Koopman of the Mercatus Institute at George Mason University, in the press release. “Unfortunately, political candidates have a strong incentive to support special interests over the causes that matter most to young people. There is a danger in doing that because millennials are concerned, active, and engaged.”
GenFKD is a non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting economic understanding and financial literacy to college students and recent grads. This peer-to-peer organiztion uses editorial content and grassroots organizing to engage millennials on economic and financial public policy and basic pocketbook finance.
“It is very disappointing that the presidential candidates are ignoring a vital demographic group and the issues that matter most to millennials,” said Justin Dent, president and co-founder of GenFKD, in the release. “With an uncertain economy and international instability, millennials are more engaged than ever in the upcoming election, yet they are left out of the discussion.”