A new NBC News Stay Tuned Gen Z poll reveals that inflation and the cost of living are the top concerns for voters under 30, with 30% identifying it as the most pressing issue. This concern cuts across party lines, surpassing other issues like threats to democracy (11%) and abortion (9%).
Debt is also a significant burden, with 70% of young voters reporting it has delayed major life milestones, such as buying a home (38%), purchasing a car (36%), and saving for retirement (33%). Additionally, 84% believe homeownership is harder to achieve compared to their parents’ generation.
Despite these economic challenges, young voters show more optimism about their personal finances than the national economy, with 34% saying their financial situation has improved in the past year. However, only 20% feel the national economy has gotten better, with 56% believing it has worsened.
This economic anxiety is influencing their political choices, with Gen Z voters leaning towards Vice President Kamala Harris over former President Donald Trump, though not as strongly as in 2020. The poll also highlights a broader skepticism towards traditional politics, with 53% agreeing that political compromise often equates to selling out on principles.
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