• by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer @mp_research, January 25, 2016

According to a USA Today Millennial Poll from Ipsos, only a few Millennials (33%) say they are likely to vote in the Republican primaries, or the Democratic primaries (42%). Only 60% say they are likely to vote in the November general election. And, about 63% report having voted before, most often in the 2012 presidential election.

The report says that Millennials have a complicated orientation towards voting. While most claim to understand the mechanics of voting with 71% knowing how to register and only 20% saying voting is hard, there are mixed emotions about the efficacy of voting, with 37% agreeing “my vote doesn’t really matter” and 55% agreeing “there are better ways of making a difference than voting.”

Considering Millennial politics and ideology, 41% identify more as Democrats, 28% as Republicans, and tend to consider themselves fiscally moderate or conservative, and socially liberal:

       Economic policy… 33% liberal vs. 38% conservative

       Foreign policy… 28% liberal vs. 37% conservative

       Social policy… 42% liberal vs. 32% conservative

57% of Millennials describe themselves as optimistic about the future, but are concerned about their opportunities to succeed, with 35% citing issues about the economy, and 28% about education. In addition, says the report, 25% are concerned with foreign policy, 24% healthcare, and 23% gun laws

Millennials support clean energy efforts, with 81% agreeing that America should transition to clean energy by 2030. Only 43% agree America should keep developing fossil fuel reserves, but support a humane foreign policy:

       53% agree the US should accept refugees

       51% agree that the US should be working to alleviating poverty to reduce terrorism

       Only 48% agree the US should commit troops in Syria

61% of Millennials agree that police violence against African Americans is a problem and want more fairness in police behavior, and 67% support community oversight of police, says the report.

Millennials believe in the 2nd Amendment, and 57% agree the government should protect Americans’ 2nd Amendment rights, but support stronger gun controls AND greater mental health spending:

       82% agree the US should pass a law requiring background checks for all gun purchases

       58% agree stricter gun laws would help prevent mass shootings.

For additional information from Ipsos, please visit here.