The survey included conversations with 2,800 college students.
A recent survey conducted by Project 26, a left-leaning political advocacy group, found that college students share an increasingly negative outlook on the nation’s democracy.
The survey was aimed towards students across 16 universities and included conversations with 2,802 students. It was conducted in two waves. One from February to April and the second from April to May.
The top areas of worry for Gen Z college students, according to the survey, were social polarization, civil right rollback, and international global affairs.
When describing their information sources, 67% of students involved in the survey listed social media as their primary source of information.
The survey found that only 2% of college students believed elected officials make decisions in their best interests.
“Young people told us that they care a lot about the issues that impact them, but they don’t really have trust that elected officials think about them when they’re making decisions or are acting on the things that are impacting their lives,” said Aimee Van Cleave, interim state director for Project 26.
“What they most want is not empty promises or slogans – they’re not asking to be entertained – what they’re asking for is a tangible improvement in their lives,” she continued.
The results of the survey reflect a growing issue for the Democratic Party, as a group they once found favor with is becoming increasingly skeptical. During the 2024 election, President Trump’s share of voters ages 18 to 29 increased to 46% from 36% in 2020.
President Trump also took 56% of support from young men after losing the demographic to former President Joe Biden in the prior election.
“Whoever gets it right will be the group that spends much less time trying to figure out how to ‘win’ Gen Z. So much as the group that spends time figuring out how to deliver for Gen Z,” said Van Cleave.
The Democratic Party is planning to spend millions to reach voters in the 2026 midterms and 2028 presidential election after the party as a whole lost to Republicans in the recent election.
