Only 38 percent of millennials agree U.S. political leaders represent their interests, and 76 percent of millennials plan to vote in the presidential election, according to a new poll by Generation Opportunity, a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that focuses on engaging young Americans in economic issues.
"These numbers should put elected leaders on notice," says Paul T. Conway, president of Generation Opportunity and former chief of staff of the U.S. Department of Labor. "What you see is a very pointed story of the impact the failed policies coming out of the White House over the course of the last three years are having on the daily lives and the long-term plans of young Americans. Frankly, it is not a pretty picture – millions of young Americans are paying the price in a very personal way for failed leadership and failed policies.
"Millennials are savvy. They know national policies have personal impact – they feel it first-hand. So it is no surprise that so few believe their interests are being represented in Washington, and it is no surprise that they plan to make their voices heard this November."
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The poll also finds that 89 percent of respondents say today's economy is affecting their daily lives, such as a reduced entertainment budget at 51 percent, a reduced grocery budget at 43 percent and cutbacks on gifts for friends and family at 43 percent.
Another 84 percent of respondents say they had planned for major life changes but are considering delaying these purchases, including buying a place at 38 percent, returning to school at 32 percent and starting a family at 31 percent. While 83 percent of respondents say the economy has impacted their summer, 64 percent of respondents say the availability of high-quality full-time jobs upon graduation is more important than lower student loan interest rates. Seventy-six percent of respondents report fewer job opportunities for the middle class.
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