Survey: Harvard Fall Poll 2014
Survey of Young Americans’ Attitudes toward Politics and Public Service
26th Edition: September 26 – October 9, 2014
N=2,029 18-29 Year Olds in English and Spanish (with GfK KnowledgePaneli)
Margin of Error for entire sample: +/- 2.6% at the 95% level
1. With regard to school, are you currently enrolled at any of the following? Please select all that apply:
High school ……………………………………………………………………………….. 4%
Trade/Vocational school ……………………………………………………………… 1%
2-year junior college or community college ………………………………………. 12%
4-year college or university ………………………………………………………… 22%
Graduate school ……………………………………………………………………………. 4%
Business school or professional school …………………………………………………. 1%
Not enrolled in college/university but taking at least one course …………………………. 2%
Not currently enrolled in any of these ……………………………………………………… 54%
[If currently enrolled in a 4-year college, ask Q2]
2. In which year of college are you? (n=456)
First year student/Freshman ……………………… 23%
Second year student/Sophomore ……………….. 19%
Third year student/Junior …………………………. 26%
Fourth year student/Senior ……………………….. 24%
Fifth year student or higher ………………………. 8%
3. We understand that plenty of young people are not registered to vote, but we are wondering if you are registered to vote?
Yes ……………………………………………………….. 66%
No …………………………………………………………. 28%
Don’t know ……………………………………………. 5%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 1%
4. In the last few months, have you seen voter registration materials at work, in your community, or in yourschool?
Yes ……………………………………………………….. 36%
No …………………………………………………………. 53%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 11%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 1%
[If respondent was over 18 in 2012, ask Q5-Q6]
The following are questions about voter registration and voting.
5. Which of the following statements best describes your voter registration status for the last presidential election held on November 6, 2012? (n=1,883)
I was registered ………………………………………. 59%
I thought about registering, but didn’t ……….. 4%
I tried to register, but was unable to …………… 2%
I was not registered to vote on Nov. 6, 2012 …. 27%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 7%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 1%
6. Which of the following statements best describes your voting in the last presidential election held on November 6, 2012? (n=1,883)
I voted at a polling place …………………………………………….. 37%
I voted early …………………………………………………………….. 5%
I voted by absentee ballot ……………………………………………. 8%
I planned on voting, but wasn’t able to ……………………………… 4%
I did not vote in this election ………………………………………. 42%
I went to the polling place, but wasn’t allowed to vote ………. 1%
Decline to answer ………………………………………………………… 2%
[If respondent “Voted” in Q6, ask Q7]
7. For whom did you vote for president in 2012? (n=962)
Barack Obama ………………………………………… 53%
Mitt Romney ………………………………………….. 33%
Someone else …………………………………………. 6%
Don’t remember ……………………………………… 2%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 7%
8. When it comes to voting, with which party do you consider yourself to be affiliated?
NET: Democrat …………………………………….. 33%
Strong Democrat …………………………………….. 14%
Not a very strong Democrat ……………………… 19%
NET: Republican ………………………………….. 22%
Strong Republican …………………………………… 10%
Not a very strong Republican …………………… 12%
NET: Independent ………………………………… 42%
Leans Democrat ……………………………………… 9%
Leans Republican ……………………………………. 7%
Does not lean either way ………………………….. 26%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 2%
9. When it comes to most political issues, do you think of yourself as a…?
NET: Liberal ………………………………………… 33%
Liberal …………………………………………………… 23%
Moderate leaning Liberal …………………………. 10%
Moderate ……………………………………………….. 28%
NET: Conservative ………………………………… 35%
Moderate leaning Conservative ………………… 11%
Conservative ………………………………………….. 25%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 4%
10. How likely is it that you will vote in the 2014 elections for Congress?
Definitely will be voting ………………………….. 26%
Probably will be voting ……………………………. 16%
50-50 …………………………………………………….. 22%
Probably won’t be voting …………………………. 18%
Definitely won’t be voting ……………………….. 16%
[If answered “Definitely will be voting” or “Probably will be voting” in Q10, ask Q11]
11. How do you plan to vote in the November election? (n=847)
At a polling place ……………………………………. 66%
By absentee ballot …………………………………… 18%
At a place set up for early voting ……………… 8%
I do not plan on voting …………………………….. *
Don’t know ……………………………………………. 7%
[If answered “50-50,” Probably won’t be voting” or “Definitely won’t be voting” in Q10, ask Q12]
12. What is the main reason that you may not vote in November (open-ended question)? * (n=1,101)
Don’t know enough about the candidates …….. 12%
Not interested …………………………………………. 11%
No time/too busy …………………………………………….. 10%
Not registered ………………………………………………………… 8%
My vote does not count/make a difference ………………………….. 7%
Don’t like/trust the candidates/politicians in general ……………………… 7%
Don’t like/follow politics/government ………………………………….. 6%
Not a citizen ………………………………………………………………………….. 3%
Not eligible/permitted to vote (unspecified) ………………………………………….. 3%
Can’t get to the polls to vote …………………………………………………………. 3%
Moved/not living where I am registered to vote …………………………………2%
Other ……………………………………………………………………………… 15%
Don’t know/Nothing ……………………………………………… 5%
Decline to answer …………………………………………………. 23%
*Please note multiple responses were allowed, and therefore the sum of the percentages may not add up to 100%.
13. Do you consider yourself to be politically engaged or politically active?
Yes ……………………………………………………….. 18%
No …………………………………………………………. 80%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 2%
14. Overall, how closely do you follow news about national politics?
NET: Closely…………………………………………. 38%
Very closely …………………………………………… 6%
Somewhat closely …………………………………… 31%
NET: Not closely …………………………………… 60%
Not very closely ……………………………………… 35%
Not at all closely …………………………………….. 25%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 2%
15. All in all, do you think things in the nation are…?
Generally headed in the right direction ………. 15%
Off on the wrong track …………………………….. 43%
Not sure what direction country is headed in . 40%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 2%
16. Do you consider yourself to be a supporter of the Tea Party movement, or are you not a supporter of the Tea Party movement?
Supporter ……………………………………………….. 9%
Not a supporter ……………………………………….. 45%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 43%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 2%
17. Thinking about national issues for a moment, which issue concerns you the most? (Open-ended question)
NET: Economy ……………………………………… 31%
General ………………………………………………….. 18%
Jobs ………………………………………………………. 8%
Money issues/financial stability ………………… 2%
Budget/government spending …………………… 1%
Economic equality/inequality …………………… 1%
Taxes …………………………………………………….. 1%
NET: Foreign Affairs/National Security ……….. 19%
War/military …………………………………………… 7%
Terrorism ……………………………………………….. 4%
National Security ……………………………………. 3%
ISIS/ISIL/Islamic State ……………………………. 3%
Foreign Affairs ……………………………………….. 2%
Health care, general ………………………………… 7%
Education ………………………………………………. 6%
Immigration ……………………………………………. 6%
National debt ………………………………………….. 3%
Environment …………………………………………… 2%
President Obama/lack of leadership …………… 1%
Abortion ………………………………………………… 1%
Government/political corruption ……………….. 1%
Moral and religious issues ……………………….. 1%
Other issues ……………………………………………. 12%
Don’t know/No answer ……………………………. 10%
In general, do you approve or disapprove of the job performance of:
18. Barack Obama as President.
Approve …………………………………………………. 43%
Disapprove …………………………………………….. 53%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 4%
19. The Democrats in Congress.
Approve …………………………………………………. 35%
Disapprove …………………………………………….. 60%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 5%
20. The Republicans in Congress.
Approve …………………………………………………. 23%
Disapprove …………………………………………….. 72%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 5%
21. What is your preference for the outcome of the Congressional elections, a Congress controlled by Democrats, or a Congress controlled by Republicans? Definite Voters (n=530)
Controlled by Democrats …………………………. 50% 47%
Controlled by Republicans ……………………….. 43% 51%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 7% 2%
Now thinking specifically about Barack Obama, do you approve or disapprove of the way he is handling:
22. The economy.
Approve …………………………………………………. 36%
Disapprove …………………………………………….. 60%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 4%
23. Health care.
Approve …………………………………………………. 37%
Disapprove …………………………………………….. 59%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 4%
24. Federal budget deficit.
Approve …………………………………………………. 31%
Disapprove …………………………………………….. 65%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 4%
25. Foreign policy.
Approve …………………………………………………. 35%
Disapprove …………………………………………….. 60%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 4%
26. Immigration.
Approve …………………………………………………. 35%
Disapprove …………………………………………….. 61%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 4%
27. Race relations.
Approve …………………………………………………. 47%
Disapprove …………………………………………….. 49%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 4%
28. Do you approve or disapprove of the Affordable Care Act, the comprehensive health reform package that the President signed into law in 2010?
Approve …………………………………………………. 39%
Disapprove …………………………………………….. 57%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 4%
29. How important is the economy in determining which candidate you support in November?
NET: Important ……………………………………. 77%
Very important ……………………………………….. 39%
Somewhat important ……………………………….. 38%
NET: Not important ……………………………… 20%
Not very important ………………………………….. 10%
Not at all important …………………………………. 10%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 3%
30. Which party do you trust more to handle the economy, the Democratic party or the Republican party?
Democratic party …………………………………….. 30%
Republican party …………………………………….. 26%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 40%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 3%
31. How important is foreign policy in determining which candidate you support in November?
NET: Important ……………………………………. 66%
Very important ……………………………………….. 24%
Somewhat important ……………………………….. 41%
NET: Not important ……………………………… 31%
Not very important ………………………………….. 18%
Not at all important …………………………………. 12%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 4%
32. Which party do you trust more to handle foreign policy, the Democratic party or the Republican party?
Democratic party …………………………………….. 29%
Republican party …………………………………….. 24%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 44%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 3%
33. How important is immigration policy in determining which candidate you support in November?
NET: Important ……………………………………. 65%
Very important ……………………………………….. 30%
Somewhat important ……………………………….. 35%
NET: Not important ……………………………… 31%
Not very important ………………………………….. 20%
Not at all important …………………………………. 12%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 4%
34. Which party do you trust more to handle immigration policy, the Democratic party or the Republicanparty?
Democratic party …………………………………….. 32%
Republican party …………………………………….. 26%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 40%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 3%
35. How important is race relations in determining which candidate you support in November?
NET: Important ……………………………………. 51%
Very important ……………………………………….. 20%
Somewhat important ……………………………….. 31%
NET: Not important ……………………………… 45%
Not very important ………………………………….. 26%
Not at all important …………………………………. 19%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 4%
36. Which party do you trust more to handle race relations, the Democratic party or the Republican party?
Democratic party …………………………………….. 34%
Republican party …………………………………….. 16%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 46%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 4%
37. How important is health care in determining which candidate you support in November?
NET: Important ……………………………………. 76%
Very important ……………………………………….. 39%
Somewhat important ……………………………….. 37%
NET: Not important ……………………………… 20%
Not very important ………………………………….. 11%
Not at all important …………………………………. 9%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 4%
38. Which party do you trust more to handle health care, the Democratic party or the Republican party?
Democratic party …………………………………….. 33%
Republican party …………………………………….. 25%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 39%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 3%
39. Imagine that a friend or peer suggests attending a political rally or demonstration. Assuming you have some free time and you agree with the issue, how likely would you be to agree to attend?
NET: Likely ………………………………………….. 39%
Very likely …………………………………………….. 9%
Somewhat likely ……………………………………… 30%
NET: Not likely …………………………………….. 57%
Not very likely ……………………………………….. 30%
Not at all likely ……………………………………….. 27%
40. Again, imagine that a friend or peer suggests volunteering on a political campaign. Assuming you have some free time and you agree with the issue, how likely would you be to agree to volunteer?
NET: Likely ………………………………………….. 33%
Very likely …………………………………………….. 6%
Somewhat likely ……………………………………… 27%
NET: Not likely …………………………………….. 64%
Not very likely ……………………………………….. 33%
Not at all likely ……………………………………….. 31%
41. Now, imagine a friend or peer suggests volunteering for community service. Assuming that you consider it to be a worthy cause, how likely would you be to agree to volunteer for community service?
NET: Likely ………………………………………….. 67%
Very likely …………………………………………….. 25%
Somewhat likely ……………………………………… 42%
NET: Not likely …………………………………….. 29%
Not very likely ……………………………………….. 16%
Not at all likely ……………………………………….. 12%
42. In general, which do you think is the better way to solve important issues facing the country – through political engagement or through community volunteerism?
Community volunteerism …………………………. 42%
Political engagement ……………………………….. 18%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 37%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 3%
43. Generally speaking, with whom do you place the most blame regarding the political gridlock in Washington, D.C.?
All of them …………………………………………….. 56%
Republicans in Congress ………………………….. 22%
President Obama …………………………………….. 13%
Democrats in Congress ……………………………. 5%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 4%
If you could choose to recall and replace various elected officials today, would you recall:
44. Your member of Congress?
Yes ……………………………………………………….. 42%
No …………………………………………………………. 48%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 10%
45. All members of Congress?
Yes ……………………………………………………….. 53%
No …………………………………………………………. 41%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 6%
46. Whom do you think your member of Congress represents the most in Washington?
Themselves ……………………………………………. 33%
Their campaign donors ……………………………. 27%
Their party ……………………………………………… 25%
Their constituents ……………………………………. 10%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 5%
47. How concerned are you about the possibility there will be a major terrorist attack in the United States? Is that something that worries you a great deal, somewhat, not too much, or not at all?
A great deal ……………………………………………. 23%
Somewhat ………………………………………………. 38%
Not too much ………………………………………….. 23%
Not at all ………………………………………………… 12%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 3%
48. Do you favor or oppose President Obama’s plan to expand the U.S. air campaign against ISIS, which includes lifting restrictions on American strikes in Iraq and authorizing direct attacks against the militant group in Syria?
Favor …………………………………………………….. 39%
Oppose ………………………………………………….. 20%
Don’t know ……………………………………………. 38%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 3%
49. Do you have health insurance?
Yes, my employer provides it ……………………………………………………… 26%
Yes, I am under 26 and covered by my parents’ plan …………………………………. 32%
Yes, I have an individual plan or plan for my family ………………………………….. 19%
No, I am not enrolled in health insurance ……………………………………….. 19%
Decline to answer ……………………………………………………………………….. 3%
On which of the following platforms do you have an account?
50. Facebook.
Yes ………………………………………………………. 80%
No ………………………………………………………… 20%
51. Google+.
Yes ………………………………………………………. 45%
No ………………………………………………………… 55%
52. Instagram.
Yes ………………………………………………………. 39%
No ………………………………………………………… 61%
53. Twitter.
Yes ………………………………………………………. 38%
No ………………………………………………………… 62%
54. Pinterest.
Yes ………………………………………………………. 30%
No ………………………………………………………… 70%
55. Snapchat.
Yes ………………………………………………………. 28%
No ………………………………………………………… 72%
56. Tumblr.
Yes ………………………………………………………. 13%
No ………………………………………………………… 87%
57. Foursquare.
Yes ………………………………………………………. 5%
No ………………………………………………………… 95%
58. Which one of these best describes your religious preference?
Catholic …………………………………………………. 21%
Fundamentalist/Evangelical Christian ……….. 13%
Protestant ……………………………………………….. 12%
LDS/Mormon …………………………………………. 2%
Jewish ……………………………………………………. 1%
Muslim ………………………………………………….. *
Another religion ……………………………………… 10%
No religious preference ……………………………. 23%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 12%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 4%
[If NOT “No Religious Preference” in Q58, ask Q59]
59. How important is religion in your own life? (n=1,297)
Very important ………………………………………. 44%
Somewhat important ……………………………….. 36%
Not very important …………………………………. 16%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 4%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. *
[If “Catholic, Fundamentalist/Evangelical, LDS/Mormon, Protestant, or another religion, or not sure” in Q58 ask Q60]
60. Do you consider yourself a born-again Christian? (n=1,260)
Yes ……………………………………………………….. 33%
No …………………………………………………………. 50%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 12%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 5%
61. Switching topics, which of these best describes your phone service at this time?
Cell phone ……………………………………………… 88%
Landline phone service ……………………………. 16%
VOIP phone service ………………………………… 3%
None of these …………………………………………. 4%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 3%
[If currently enrolled in a 4-year college, ask Q62-Q66]
62. Is your college/university…? (n=456)
Public ……………………………………………………. 70%
Private …………………………………………………… 26%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 4%
63. Is the college/university that you currently attend…? (n=456)
In an urban or city area ……………………………. 51%
In a suburban area next to a city ……………….. 27%
In small town or rural area ……………………….. 18%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 4%
64. How many undergraduate students are enrolled in your college/university? Your best estimate is fine. (n=456)
Less than 1,000 ………………………………………. 4%
1,000 – 4,999 ………………………………………….. 24%
5,000 – 9,999 ………………………………………….. 20%
10,000 – 19,999 ………………………………………. 24%
20,000 or more ……………………………………….. 24%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 3%
65. Where do you live while attending college? (n=456)
In an on-campus dormitory ……………………………………………………….. 31%
In fraternity/sorority housing ……………………………………………………….. *
In a campus-owned apartment …………………………………………………………… 7%
In an apartment/house that is not campus-owned (not with parents) ……………… 30%
At home, with my parents ………………………………………………………….. 25%
Somewhere else …………………………………………………………………….. 3%
Decline to answer …………………………………………………………. 4%
66. Are you a…? (n=456)
Full-time student …………………………………….. 86%
Part-time student …………………………………….. 12%
Decline to answer ……………………………………. 3%
67. What is your gender?
Male ……………………………………………………… 50%
Female …………………………………………………… 50%
68. What is your race and ethnicity?
White, Non-Hispanic ………………………………. 56%
Hispanic ………………………………………………… 21%
Black, Non-Hispanic ……………………………….. 14%
Other, Non-Hispanic ……………………………….. 7%
Two or more races, Non-Hispanic …………….. 2%
69. What is your current education level?
Less than high school ………………………………. 14%
High school ……………………………………………. 28%
Some college ………………………………………….. 38%
Bachelor or higher …………………………………… 20%
70. What is your income?
Less than $5,000 …………………………………….. 4%
$5,000 – $7,499 ……………………………………… 3%
$7,500 – $9,999 ……………………………………… 1%
$10,000 – $12,499 ………………………………….. 2%
$12,500 – $14,999 ………………………………….. 2%
$15,000 – $19,999 ………………………………….. 2%
$20,000 – $24,999 ………………………………….. 3%
$25,000 – $29,999 ………………………………….. 6%
$30,000 – $34,999 ………………………………….. 5%
$35,000 – $39,999 ………………………………….. 5%
$40,000 – $49,999 ………………………………….. 7%
$50,000 – $59,999 ………………………………….. 9%
$60,000 – $74,999 ………………………………….. 10%
$75,000 – $84,999 ………………………………….. 9%
$85,000 – $99,999 ………………………………….. 8%
$100,000 – $124,999 ………………………………. 11%
$125,000 – $149,000 ………………………………. 5%
$150,000 – $174,999 ………………………………. 3%
$175,000 or more …………………………………… 3%
71. Are you now married, widowed, divorced, separated, never married, or living with a partner?
Never married ………………………………………… 61%
Married ………………………………………………….. 21%
Living with partner …………………………………. 15%
Divorced ………………………………………………… 1%
Separated ……………………………………………….. 1%
Widowed ……………………………………………….. *
72. Age:
18………………………………………………………….. 8%
19………………………………………………………….. 8%
20………………………………………………………….. 7%
21………………………………………………………….. 7%
22………………………………………………………….. 8%
23………………………………………………………….. 9%
24………………………………………………………….. 11%
25………………………………………………………….. 8%
26………………………………………………………….. 7%
27………………………………………………………….. 9%
28………………………………………………………….. 9%
29………………………………………………………….. 9%
73. Are you the head of your household?
Yes ………………………………………………………. 43%
No ………………………………………………………… 57%
74. Including yourself, how many people currently live in your household at least 50% of the time? Please remember to include babies, or small children, include unrelated individuals (such as roommates), and also include those now away traveling or in a hospital.
1 …………………………………………………………… 9%
2 …………………………………………………………… 24%
3 …………………………………………………………… 25%
4 …………………………………………………………… 22%
5 …………………………………………………………… 12%
6 …………………………………………………………… 6%
7 …………………………………………………………… 2%
8 …………………………………………………………… 1%
9 …………………………………………………………… 1%
10 …………………………………………………………. *
75. How many members are there in each age group in your household? (Average number)
0 – 12 months old …………………………………… 0.09
2 – 5 years old ……………………………………….. 0.19
6 – 12 years old ……………………………………… 0.21
13 – 17 years old ……………………………………. 0.24
18 years or older …………………………………….. 2.67
76. Which statement best describes your current employment status?
NET: Working ………………………………………. 64%
As a paid employee ………………………………… 60%
Self-employed ……………………………………….. 4%
NET: Not Working ……………………………….. 37%
On temporary layoff from a job ………………… 1%
Looking for work …………………………………… 18%
Disabled ……………………………………………….. 2%
Retired ………………………………………………….. *
Other ……………………………………………………. 15%
77. Are your living quarters…?
Owned or being bought by you or someone in your household ………. 56%
Rented for cash ………………………………………………………………………. 39%
Occupied without payment of cash rent …………………………………………. 5%
78. Which best describes the building where you live?
A one-family house detached from any other house ………….. 61%
A one-family house attached to one or more houses ………………… 10%
A building with two or more apartments …………………………. 25%
A mobile home …………………………………………………………………. 4%
Boat, RV, van, etc. ………………………………………………………………. *
79. Do you have Internet access in your home?
Yes ……………………………………………………….. 94%
No …………………………………………………………. 6%
80. What region do you live in?
Northeast ………………………………………………. 18%
Midwest ………………………………………………… 21%
South ……………………………………………………. 36%
West …………………………………………………….. 24%
81. Do you live in a metro or non-metro area?
Non-metro (rural) ……………………………………. 14%
Metro …………………………………………………….. 86%
82. What region do you live in? (Based on state of residence)
New England …………………………………………. 5%
Mid-Atlantic ………………………………………….. 13%
East-North Central …………………………………. 13%
West-North Central …………………………………. 8%
South Atlantic ……………………………………….. 20%
East-South Central …………………………………. 5%
West-South Central ………………………………… 12%
Mountain ………………………………………………. 7%
Pacific ………………………………………………….. 17%
1A complete Field Report from GfK (Knowledge Networks) is available upon request. Included in the report are details on cooperation rates, KN methodology, survey administration, survey sampling and sample weighting.
