Top Presidential Campaign Issue for Florida's Independent Young Adults: Jobs

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Nov 04, 2012, 07:10 ET

Facebook and Text Messages Seen as Most Effective GOTV Reminders

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Generation Opportunity today released data specifically on Independent voters from their comprehensive Florida-specific survey of young adults ages 18-29. The poll found that 61 percent of Independent Millennials in Florida plan to vote in the presidential election, only 26 percent believe the country is headed in the right direction, and 91 percent say key life decisions have been delayed by the poor national economy. The poll also found that of the "Get Out The Vote" (GOTV) reminder tools that will have an impact on Independent young voter turnout in Florida, Facebook ranked first at 60 percent and text messages ranked second at 49 percent. Only 17 percent of Florida's Independent young adults thought a phone call would be effective – a clear indication that smartphones and other mobile devices have reached a point of heavy market penetration within the demographic.

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Generation Opportunity has over 4 million fans on Facebook and direct grassroots engagement with over a quarter million young Americans. The organization has over 160,000 followers across the state of Florida developed through social media and grassroots activities. In addition to releasing Florida poll results, Generation Opportunity has launched the Pledge to GO Vote Campaign aimed at further increasing the already growing enthusiasm and interest among young adults to participate in the presidential election. Generation Opportunity is encouraging its Florida supporters, their friends, and all those within their networks to Pledge to GO Vote. Read more about the initiative and sign the pledge here at GenerationOpportunity.org/vote.

Watch the video at bit.ly/PledgeToGOVote.

FLORIDA'S INDEPENDENT YOUNG ADULTS – IMPACT OF PRESIDENT OBAMA'S POLICIES, IMPORTANCE OF JOB CREATION

Only 29% of Independent young adults in Florida say that the economic policies coming out of Washington are helping them.
Only 44% approve of President Obama's handling of youth unemployment.
Only 42% think that President Obama's policies have helped create jobs in Florida.
60% agree with the statement "the economy grows best when individuals are allowed to create businesses without government interference."
67% agree with the statement "if taxes on business profits were reduced, companies would be more likely to hire."
67% believe the availability of more quality, full-time jobs upon graduation is more important than lower student loan interest rates.
66% say the availability of more quality, full-time jobs with health insurance plans is more important than the ability to stay on their parents' health insurance plans until they are 26.
78% would decrease federal spending if given the opportunity to set America's fiscal priorities.
70% prefer reducing federal spending over raising taxes on individuals to balance the budget.
55% would increase production of domestic American energy sources like oil, natural gas, and coal if given the opportunity to set America's fiscal priorities.

FLORIDA'S INDEPENDENT YOUNG ADULTS – AMERICA, CAMPAIGN 2012, EFFECTIVE GET OUT THE VOTE (GOTV) TACTICS

61% of 18-29 year old Florida Independents plan to vote in the election for President this year.
Only 28% believe that today's political leaders reflect the interests of young Americans.
Only 26% agree with the statement "generally speaking, things in the United States are heading in the right direction."
55% are not confident that America will still be a global leader in five years if the USA continues along the same path as the last few years.
49% agreed they will learn more about the policy positions of the presidential candidates in 2012 than they did in 2008.
Which will be the more important to you in casting your vote for President in 2012?
- 41% - A candidate's position on issues and a record in public office;
- 7% - A candidate's personal characteristics, like charisma and likeability;
- 42% - They are of equal importance (accepted only this response);
- 7% - Neither is important / something else;
- 3% - Do not know/cannot judge (accepted only this response).
Which of the following, if any, would make young people more likely to vote? (Accepted multiple responses) (Randomized):
- 60% - Facebook reminder message;
- 49% - Text message reminder;
- 30% - Email reminder;
- 36% - Public service announcement;
- 17% - Phone call;
- 13% - None of the above (accepted only this response);
- 3% - Do not know/cannot judge (accepted only this response).

FLORIDA'S INDEPENDENT YOUNG ADULTS – IMPACT OF THE POOR ECONOMY ON CAREERS AND DREAMS

81% of Independent Millennials in Florida believe that the lack of job opportunities is shrinking the American middle class.
91% had planned to but now might delay or not make at all a major life change or move forward on a major purchase due to the current state of the economy (Accepted multiple responses) (Randomized):
- 45% - Buy their own place;
- 32% - Go back to school/getting more education or training;
- 40% - Start a family;
- 26% - Pay off student loans or other debt;
- 28% - Change jobs/cities;
- 27% - Save for retirement;
- 27% - Get married;
- 7% - None of the above (accepted only this response);
- 2% - Do not know/cannot judge (accepted only this response).

STATEMENT BY PAUL T. CONWAY, PRESIDENT OF GENERATION OPPORTUNITY

"In Florida, young adult Independents will play a strategic role in determining which candidate Florida supports as the next President of the United States. This should come as no surprise – the biggest changes they have seen in their lives over the past several years have been the delays in their careers and dreams resulting from the failed national policies that created high unemployment, a lack of full-time jobs, and the poor economy. In the 2012 presidential election, the enthusiasm among Florida's Millennial Independents is driven by a desire to change the status quo and create more opportunity for all Americans, not by the likeability or charisma of either candidate," said Paul T. Conway, President of Generation Opportunity and former Chief of Staff of the United States Department of Labor under Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

METHODOLOGY

For Generation Opportunity, the polling company, inc./WomanTrend, conducted a statewide online survey of 524 Florida adults ages 18-29 between July 27 – August 13, 2012. Randomly selected online opt-in panel participants were sent an invitation to the survey via email, which included a secure link to the online questionnaire. Quotas were used to ensure the survey was representative of the larger 18-29 year old statewide population with regard to race, region, and gender. The data were NOT weighted. The overall sampling margin of error for the survey is +/-4.4% at a 95% confidence interval, meaning that the data obtained would not differ more than 4.4 percentage points in 95 out of 100 similar samples obtained. Independent voters comprised 23% of the total sample.

ABOUT GENERATION OPPORTUNITY

Generation Opportunity is the largest non-profit, non-partisan organization in the United States engaging and mobilizing young Americans (ages 18-29) on important economic issues facing the nation. Since its launch in June of 2011, Generation Opportunity has operated on a combined strategy of advanced social media tactics and field tactics to reach young Americans across the country.

Generation Opportunity is actively organizing young adults across America through grassroots tactics, voter registration, and voter turnout efforts in states like Ohio, Virginia, Maine, North Carolina, Michigan, and Florida, engaging over a quarter million young adults. The organization's social media platforms have amassed a total fan base of more than 4 million. Facebook pages post links to relevant articles and reports from sources ranging from the federal Government Accountability Office (GAO), to The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Brookings Institution, The Wall Street Journal, The Huffington Post, and The Heritage Foundation.