RESEARCH
IGNITE's Research Hub
Since 2019, IGNITE’s research hub has partnered with leading political scientists and researchers to conduct research on Gen Z political engagement and voting. Findings are made publicly available to support the work of our partners and other key stakeholders, including nonprofits, electeds, foundations and the media. Download our latest 2024 report below.
For inquiries, please contact Sofia Huizar, IGNITE's Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, at sofia@ignitenational.org.
Gen Z college students voting & engagement report 2024
In 2024, IGNITE's research efforts focused on better understanding college students’ political engagement, voting behaviors and sentiment around issues and candidates. The report includes findings from a series of focus group conducted in April 2024 and August 2024, and insights from a survey of 1,004 college students across the country fielded August 7-27.
Our 2024 research was made possible by generous support from Edie Lycke, Grantmakers for Girls of Color, Everett Family Foundation, Quinn Delaney and Wayne Jordan, Open Society Foundations and Way to Rise.
“Gen Z and young voters are going to have more political power in the 2024 election cycle than ever before. We need to start focusing on the issues that drive them because they don’t conform to the hard lines of political parties like previous generations. They want candidates who care about their issues, represent the diversity they see amongst their peers, and have the authentic digital savviness to engage with them in a meaningful way.” Sara Guillermo, IGNITE CEO
excerpts from our presentation of the IGNITE Gen Z 2023 Survey Report
Gen Z at the Ballot Box
Issue Areas Driving Gen Z
Speaker: Alexandra Leal Silva, Souther CA Fellow
Speaker: Saha Salahi, IGNITE Legislative Advocacy Manager
Previous Research
Gen Z Focus group Report 2024
We asked students at colleges and universities in 4 major cities, and community colleges on a nation-wide scale, what they really cared about and we're officially releasing the Gen Z Focus Group Findings Report 2024! This report provides insight into what America's youngest voters value, their concerns as a generation, and their opinions on the current political climate.
We partnered with Sago Strategy + Insight, a research firm, to collect and quantify this data. A special thank you to Grantmakers for Girls of Color and the Levi Foundation for funding this study.
Sample Findings
1
Gen Z polling shows that young voters are more politically empowered than ever, with 75% of respondents registered to vote. By 2024, Gen Z and Millennials will be the largest voting block in the country.
2
Roughly 70% of women-identifying and non-binary Gen Zers say they would be more likely to vote if there was more diversity among candidates regarding gender, race, and age, as well as candidates speaking to the issues young people care about.
3
Most Gen Z support legal abortion under all circumstances, but Gen Z women-identifying and non-binary people are more likely than Gen Z men to support abortion “for any reason.”
Gen Z Voting & Political Engagement Report 2023
Gen Z Voters: 2022 Study Findings
Gen Z Voters: 2022 Federal Policy Findings
More about IGNITE's Research Hub
In addition to providing trainings, community events, conferences and other programs, IGNITE also spearheads research to better understand where Gen Z lies on their political and civic leadership journeys. This research complements our on-the-ground-work and helps us gain a deeper understanding of the values and political aspirations of young women-identifying people and gender expansive youth across the country so IGNITE can better respond to their needs.
Since 2019, we have been conducting research with gender and generational lenses in partnership with Dr. Melissa Deckman (PRRI) and Dr. Jared McDonald (University of Mary Washington) to understand the political values, behaviors and mindset of Gen Z. This includes gathering data on Gen Z voting attitudes and behaviors, party identification, top priority issues and policies, how COVID impacted their mental health and political agency, and their preferred sources for political education and news.
IGNITE’s research is pivotal to our broader organizational strategy to accelerate a culture shift that enforces young women’s belief in themselves as political leaders and agents of change. It underscores our efforts to effectively change narratives about young women’s political power, by allowing us to first listen and learn, then craft more effective strategies that address their concerns and meet them where they are at.