While the youth vote in the 2008 election was the highest in years, youth interest in the current election has dropped precipitously. A Pew Research Center report found that a mere 13 percent of Millennials have "given a lot of thought to the 2012 candidates," down from almost a third of 18 to 29-year-olds during this stage of the campaign four years ago. As youth civic participation has baselined, civic participation of those ages 65 years and older has spiked with 42 percent having already seriously considered the 2012 candidates. Indeed, this senior demographic—dubbed the "silent generation" — is now by far the most vocal.
But don't worry about getting to the polls this November. Voters ages 65 and older share your political views. Or do they?
Actually, the Pew Center found that there hasn't been this large of a political generation gap since the Nixon v. McGovern election in 1972. Indeed, Millennials differ significantly from Silents on almost every question Pew threw at them. For example, when asked if immigrants strengthen society, 69 percent of Millennials agree, but only 40 percent of Silents agree. When asked if more interracial marriage in the U.S. is a positive change, 60 percent of Millennials agree, but only 29 percent of Silents agree. And when asked if gay marriage should be legalized, 59 percent of Millennials agree, but only 33 percent of Silents agree. Young adults and seniors also differ markedly on the benefits of women in the workplace, unilateral military force and the health care law.
While these differences could be dismissed as mere differences in party — Millennials do lean Democratic — on some issues, 18 to 29-year-olds polled more conservative than those 65 and older. For example, when asked if younger workers should be allowed to privatize social security taxes, 86 percent of Millennials approved, but only 52 percent of Silents agreed. Millennials also view free trade far more positively than Silents.
With this stark divergence in opinion, why is youth political engagement so low? According to a recent survey released by the Harvard Institute of Politics, or Harvard IOP, although a large portion of youth are unsatisfied with the current state of government affairs—only 22 percent of college students say the country is heading in the right direction—a mere 14 percent have participated in government, politics or issue-related organizations. One might accordingly assume that college-age students are either "too busy" or "too apathetic" to engage civically, but the Harvard poll found otherwise.
Indeed, a surprising 53 percent of students have made time to volunteer within the past 12 months. According to Harvard IOP Polling Director John Della Volpe, 18 to 29-year-olds have clearly shown that they are "a generation that cares deeply about our country, their role in it—and feel that the political system as represented by both parties has not effectively engaged them on issues that will shape their and our nation's future.
Apparently students believe they can do more for the nation on a local, service-based level than at the election booths. Admittedly, there may be a faster feedback loop from volunteering in a soup kitchen, classroom or nature reserve than casting a ballot on Election Day, but if our generation votes in full force, we then can have a profound impact on national poverty, education and environmental policies. The government can't afford to ignore 19.9 percent of the population if that percentage makes sure their voice is heard.
Ultimately, millennials can no longer accept that our votes (per capita) are being outnumbered 6 to 1 by those 45-years and older. With a little effort, we can shape the future path of American politics.
Kendahl Melvin and Nelson Warr represented the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the Harvard National Campaign for Political and Civic Engagement held in Cambridge from March 30-April 1, 2012. During the conference, they participated in the research that contributed to this editorial.