Young People in the 2016 General Election

A national, nonpartisan research center founded in 2001 and focused on young people in the United States, especially those who are marginalized or disadvantaged in political life.

CIRCLE’s scholarly research informs policy and practice for healthier youth development and a better democracy.

Supporting a Research

Field…

ConductResearch

and Evaluation…

Making Connections…

Connecting the research world with policy and

practice

Racial Makeup of the Voters by Age

Shift in Youth Party ID and Ideology

45%

44%

37%

26%

26%

27%

29%

30%

35%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

2008

2012

2016

Youth Party ID, 2008-2016

Democrat Republican Independent

32%

33%

37%

42

41%

38%

26%

26%

26%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

2008

2012

2016

Youth Ideology, 2008-2016

Liberal Moderate Conservative

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

2004 Voters

2008 Voters

2012 Voters

2016 Voters

2016 Citizen Population

Estimated Share of Young Voters,

by Race and Ethnicity

Black Share of Youth Votes Latino Share of Youth Votes

Asian-American Share of Youth Votes Other Share of Youth Votes

White Share of Youth Votes