With the 2022 midterm elections upon us, there are questions about whether Gen Z voters will turn out to vote. Regardless of their turn out, Americans must understand another facet of Gen Z voters: They are not overwhelmingly liberal or supportive of the Democratic Party whatsoever. With so many competitive races on the ballots and the possibility of significant GOP gains, it is crucial to recognize that this generation is not a solid Democratic block but a swing group looking for leadership and solutions to issues that mirror national sentiments.
Looking at college and university students specifically, despite older data and narratives about student liberalism, it has been repeatedly documented that Gen Z college students today are not monolithically liberal. Surveys regularly find that most students on campus today identify somewhere in the political center. Harvard University’s Institute of Politics has been collecting data on students for decades and found that just a third (32 percent) of college students identify as liberal, with another 21 percent claiming to be conservative. The plurality of students—46 percent—call themselves moderates. There is no liberal monoculture among the students.
The UT-Austin Future of Politics survey of over 1500 undergraduate students across 91 schools adds another layer of understanding to this collegiate centrism. First, when asked about party registration, 29 percent of the sample reports that they are Republican and another 33 percent Democrat—essentially an even split. The remainder—37 percent—are either unaffiliated or Independent.
Second, the survey asked if respondents could imagine themselves registering as Republicans or Democrats in the next 10 years. The results show remarkable openness to the parties. Fifty-two percent of students stated that they could either definitely, probably, or possibly see themselves registering as Republicans down the road. Only 28 percent said definitely not. Meanwhile, when asked about registering as a Democrat, 58 percent could see themselves as definitely, probably, or possibly registering in the future. Less than a quarter (23 percent) said that they could not see themselves that way. This is notable openness and hardly a closed-minded cohort of individuals. While staunch Republicans and Democrats say they will not change allegiances, those left and right of center remain open to changing parties.
Gen Z students are not optimistic about the future of either party either. Just 18 percent believe that the Democratic Party is moving in the right direction compared to 24 percent for Republicans. Meanwhile, 52 percent of students think that the GOP is moving in the wrong direction and 53 percent think the same of the Democrats. Students are not optimistic about either party. There remains a future where this block moves to either party. Yet, that depends on which party finally speaks to them by seizing the center by pragmatic means.
The all-too-common and frequent liberally infused, social justice–laden narratives that emerge on campuses do not represent the politics or priorities of those students who are actually enrolled in these institutions. In reality, when asked about the most urgent threat or issue to the future of the nation, polarization and government dysfunction are the most commonly cited issue (27 percent), followed by inflation (14 percent) and poverty and inequality (13 percent) among students today. These concerns mirror national sentiments, while many of the progressive ideas that are plastered around schools are of lower priority to most. Just 2 percent of students claim that racism is the most urgent issue, and 3 percent cite the criminal justice system. This is because students are centrist and not focused on liberal wedge issues. If students turn out—and that is yet to be seen—they will likely vote for Democrats and Republicans on Tuesday; their priorities are not altogether different from most Americans nor are their political proclivities.
Samuel J. Abrams is a professor of politics at Sarah Lawrence College and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
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