“If you feel so negatively about Harris, why are you undecided about who to vote for?” Frank Luntz asked 15 young Americans recently, with a mixture of indignation and curiosity. Then, a half hour later, as a 24-year-old brooded about the January 6 attacks, Luntz asked, “If you say Trump should never be near power, why are you undecided about who to vote for?”
With 11 weeks left in the presidential election, Times Opinion is taking on a new initiative: Assembling a panel of 15 undecided voters between the ages of 18 and 27 and checking in with them regularly through Election Day to track their opinions on Kamala Harris, Donald Trump and the issues and news that matter most to them.
We focus on young voters because they are often stereotyped or overlooked when elections reach their final stretch, and because they could be a crucial group in battleground states like Michigan. With many young Americans supporting Harris, we were curious why these 15 voters in particular have mixed feelings about her. In 2020, five of our 15 voters supported Joe Biden, two voted for Trump, seven did not vote (all but one was too young), and one voted for Mitt Romney. The Harris campaign told me they are looking to attract first-time voters and some Republicans.
Participants are now wary of Harris — they say she is too far left and has covered up Biden’s aging problems — and want to know what she’ll do about inflation, public safety and the Israel-Gaza war. But they’re also skeptical of Trump, and many were appalled by his actions on Jan. 6, 2021. Though some had grown more favorable toward him after the assassination attempt last month, they were quickly put off by his attacks on Harris and her race.
So why haven’t they made up their minds, as Luntz asked? What becomes clear is that these 15 Americans grew up in a really negative time, and while they love their country deeply, they’re worried and don’t want to see the White House in the wrong hands.
“I’m undecided because policy is important, but it’s also important to respect the institutions and the systems that have gotten this country to this point,” said Chris, a 24-year-old Florida native who describes himself as a Reagan Republican. “It’s important not to give in to people who are trying to destroy them.”
We’ll be watching with interest to see if Chris and the other 14 voters change their minds between now and November 5th and who they decide to vote for, so be sure to follow along!
Patrick Healy, Frank Lantz, Adrian J. Rivera
Healy is deputy opinion editor. Luntz is pollster. Rivera is assistant opinion editor.
Abigail, 23, Virginia, White, Graduate Assistant, Voted Biden 2020
Angelo, 19, New York, Latino, works at a university, did not vote in 2020
Aisha, 21, Iowa, South Asian, Student, Did not vote in 2020
Ben, 20, Michigan, White, Student, Did not vote in 2020
Chris, 24, Florida, White, Law Student, Voted for Trump in 2020
George, 21, Georgia, White, Student, Did not vote in 2020
Jack, 22, New York, White, Underwriter, Vote for Biden in 2020
Jasper, 25, California, mixed race, food service, voted Biden 2020
Joseph, 24, South Carolina, White, High School Teacher, Voted for Biden in 2020
Julia, 18, California, White, Student, Did not vote in 2020
Laura, 20, Maryland, White, Law Intern, Did not vote in 2020
Lillian, 27, Virginia, White, Digital Ads, Vote for Trump 2020
Mark, 24, California, Black, chef, voted for Biden in 2020
McClain, 25, DC, white, law field, wrote to Romney in 2020
Pierce, 26, North Carolina, White, Sales, Did not vote in 2020