A new Reuter’s poll shows that millennials aren’t voting for Democrats like they used to.
“The online survey of more than 16,000 registered voters ages 18 to 34 shows their support for Democrats over Republicans for Congress slipped by about 9 percentage points over the past two years, to 46 percent overall. And they increasingly say the Republican Party is a better steward of the economy.”
The economy has become an increasingly important issue for millennial voters. Millennials are veering away from the progressive-and-unsuccessful-economic policies of the Democratic party, and realizing that a capitalist, pro-business, Republican approach is better for the economy. Millennials are starting businesses more than ever before and becoming active participants in the economy.
Additionally, millennials are the largest generation entering the work force, making them obvious beneficiaries of Trump’s tax cuts. The tax cut meant more money in their pockets, which can have a huge impact on someone’s life when they’re just starting to pay student loans, and become financially independent.
Terry Hood is an African American millennial, who voted for Hillary Clinton. “It sounds strange to me to say this about the Republicans, but they’re helping with even the small things.” Hood said in a phone interview with Reuters. “They’re taking less taxes out of my paycheck. I notice that.”
Millennials are not obligated to vote for the Democratic party, and their wavering loyalty could prove to be problematic for the upcoming midterm elections. The #Resistance movement, the Women’s March, and now the #NeverAgain movement have all promised to vote out Republicans who don’t align with their agenda—relying heavily on a large millennial turn out.
Eddie Edwards is a Republican currently running for Congressional office, who has specifically targeted the millennial vote. “This is a generation that has much more access to information than others,” he said. “Unless you’re addressing those issues that are important to them, it’s hard to get them involved.”
Only time can tell where the millennial vote will go moving forward.