First-time presidential voters met to discuss politics and democracy. Here’s what they had to say

Amid an unusually hectic summer for national politics, a group of teenage voters met in Washington, DC, over a July weekend to discuss politics.

Amid an unusually hectic summer for national politics, a group of teenage voters met in Washington, DC, over a July weekend to discuss politics. As part of their America in One Room: The Youth Vote event from July 19-22, a collection of civic groups convened more than 400 17- and 18-year-olds who will be voting in a presidential election for the first time. Generation Lab – one of the event’s hosts – recruited these voters from high schools around the country, finding teenagers of different backgrounds, regions and political leanings to represent the demographics of America’s newest voting bloc. Participants filled out surveys before and after the discussions, tracking how their political outlook changed after engaging with future voters with different beliefs. Coming into the event, nearly 7 in 10 participants (69%) said they were dissatisfied with the way democracy was working in the US. Only about a third (31%) said that “public officials care a lot about what people like me think.” Other polls have similarly shown a sense of powerlessness in the political system among young people – a 2023 Pew survey found that only 14% of Americans aged 18-29 said voting by people like them could affect the future of the country a lot, with another 38% saying it could affect the country’s future some. But after discussing political issues with their peers, the first-time presidential voters largely left the DC event feeling more hopeful about the country’s future and their ability to create change. In the post-survey, 58% of participants said they were satisfied with the way democracy is working in the US – and more than half (51%) said that public officials cared what they think. They also felt more respect, across party lines, for those with whom they strongly disagreed. The young voters ended the weekend in broad agreement about making voting more accessible and increasing access to mental, abortion and health care. After discussions, they also moderated their support for some progressive economic policies, such as a blanket minimum wage increase and free public college.