New data shows a huge partisan split between “old” and “young” Gen Z. A Yale Youth Poll revealed that when asked to choose between a generic Democrat and Republican ballot for the 2026 election, 22-29-year-olds leaned Democratic by +6pts, while 18-21-year-olds favored Republicans by nearly +12pts. It may seem like a surprising shift, but one that experts say makes sense when you look at what shaped each subsect of this gen. Older Gen Z came of voting age during Trump’s first presidency and amid progressive movements like Black Lives Matter. Younger Gen Z grew up during COVID, entered adulthood under the Biden administration, and sees Trump as more of a rebellious, counterculture figure. Platforms like TikTok—now a top news source for this age group—have only accelerated the divide, often boosting conservative content, too. The result? Two very different versions of Gen Z, and a youth vote that’s no longer easy to predict. (Politico)
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