The national issues that matter to Boston.com voters

Despite being more than six months away, the 2024 presidential election is ever-present for voters. And contrary to the popular belief that young voters are apathetic about civic engagement, most young people plan to vote in November. 

According to a poll by the Institute of Politics (IOP) at Harvard Kennedy School, more than half of young Americans say they plan to vote in the 2024 presidential election.

Sayles Kasten, the executive director of New Hampshire Youth Movement, a progressive, youth-led organization that aims to mobilize voters across the state, and promote candidates and policies, said the narrative of apathetic young voters is a fallacy. He pointed to the recent spate of nationwide campus protests of Israel’s war in Gaza as one example of their enthusiasm.

“If young people were apathetic, they wouldn’t be protesting,” he said. 

Despite their enthusiasm, young voters won’t be an easy group to win over come November, Kasten said.

“I think it’s fair to say that Biden has some work to do to re-energize the young people that delivered him his win in 2020,” he said. “But I think young people are passionate about issues, and I think they want candidates who are going to be big and bold and undo rigged systems.”

Indeed, the Harvard poll found that the one area where former President Trump has an advantage over Biden is enthusiasm. Three-quarters (76%) of Trump voters say they enthusiastically support their candidate, while 44% of Biden voters say the same.

Nathan Shrader, an associate professor of politics at New England College and the school’s co-director for their Center for Civic Engagement, said the enthusiasm gap between the two candidates doesn’t necessarily speak to a deficit for Biden, or a win for Trump, but a lack of connection on part of the former.

“It’s not necessarily Trump doing well. It’s Biden not connecting yet,” he said.

How can Biden connect with and energize this young cohort of electorates? Meet them where they are – literally.

“He’s got to actually physically show up in places where they are. Younger voters need to see him more, be exposed to him more,” Shrader said.

For the general electorate, economic issues are front of mind, with affordable housing a particular concern for young Americans.

“There are a lot of young people who are struggling to find an apartment that they can afford or a place to live. Housing is definitely something that, among young people, is a key concern,” he said.

The Harvard poll, too, found that the economy was the most important issue among young Americans. In an open-ended question about which national issue concerned them most, the poll found that just over a quarter (27%) said something related to the economy. On a more granular level, the poll found that inflation, healthcare, housing, and jobs were prominent areas of economic concern, specifically.

Like Kasten and the Harvard poll, Boston.com readers said economic issues were among their top concerns; inflation and housing together tallied a third of the votes. In all, the top five issues readers said were most important to them were: inflation, housing, climate change, women’s reproductive rights, and immigration. The majority of the 48 respondents to our poll said they plan to vote in November.

Below are a sampling of quotes from Boston.com readers on some of the most important national issues ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.

“Climate change goes beyond cyclical politics and will cause massive extermination if not addressed immediately.”

– Christine, Holbrook

“While all of the issues above are important, Climate Change affects every person on the globe. It displaces millions each year and costs billions in repairs. I know that the issue isn’t as bad as it was, but we still need to put in a lot of work to fix the issue.”

– Aly, Winchendon

“I wish people would frame climate change in economic terms. It is a boon to our economy and a source of new jobs.”

– John O., Ashland

“I support Joe Biden, and think housing is the biggest issue impacting Americans right now.”

– Chris, Boston

“Many of the issues that are most important to young people’s finances and future today, such as inflation, violence, and jobs, can be massively alleviated by tackling the housing crisis.”

– Andrew, Cambridge

“I’m from San Francisco, and I’m tired of seeing so much human suffering and indignity. The dehumanization of the homeless coupled with so many failed attempts to get people off the streets is incredibly heartbreaking to me. I know this country can do better for those who are most vulnerable.”

– Isabella, San Francisco

“I am 29 years old, originally from a red state, and have voted as a Democrat in every election since 2012. I am an active constituent, engaged politically, and write to my representatives often. I will be abstaining in the 2024 election because I cannot vote for Joe Biden due to the reprehensible way he has supplied weapons for the genocide of the Palestinian people. I am ashamed that my taxes as an American go to fund foreign wars, killing future generations and families. It betrays the value of human life.”

– David, Fenway

“I was going to reluctantly vote for Biden, but after he gave billions to Israel I cannot justify it. Now, I don’t know if I’m going to write-in or skip.”

– Layne, Boston

Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.