Millennials Could Make a Big Difference in the Midterm Elections. But Will They Vote?

One point appears to be clear: Millennials will be looking for game-changing U.S. political candidates as Election Day draws closer.

Fifty-five percent of millennials report they will definitely or probably vote in the 2018 midterm elections, according to a new NBC News/GenForward survey. The elections occur on Nov. 6. Some 19% of millennials indicate that they will definitely or probably not vote. Another 25% are unclear if they will vote or not.

A majority of millennials have regularly indicated they plan to vote for Democrats in the 2018 congressional elections within the last year. Roughly a quarter plan to vote for Republicans. Another quarter doesn’t plan to vote for either party, uncertain what they will do.

Survey findings showed that “the candidate quality that matters most to millennials’ vote in the upcoming midterms is someone who can bring about needed change, signifying that young people are still on the hunt for someone they feel can make a difference.”

Forty-two percent of millennials surveyed reported their midterm vote will be in opposition to President Donald Trump. Just 14% say their vote in this year’s midterm election will back Trump, while 24% contend Trump won’t affect their vote at all.

The survey of 1,910 adults ages 18-34 was conducted nationally from July 26 through Aug. 13 this year.

Intriguingly, millennials are not overly thrilled with either party. In the past year, the survey showed millennials perspective of the Democratic Party was split between favorable and unfavorable. During the same time, about 6 in 10 millennials have asserted unfavorable impressions of the Republican Party, with fewer than 3 in 10 disclosing favorable views.

The survey also suggested that “millennials are disillusioned about the midterm elections.”

On the numbers front, millennials could be a force in the election if a great number vote. Millennials are expected to soon top baby boomers in size demographically. Totaling 71 million in 2016, millennials in America are closing in on baby boomers (74 million) in population and expected to become the nation’s largest living adult generation in 2019, according to the Pew Research Center.

And while millennials might be more likely to vote for Democrats, a big uncertainty is how many of them will actually vote. Observers conclude that millennials over the years have not displayed high turnouts for midterm elections.