In the 2024 presidential election, California experienced a subtle rightward shift, with Donald Trump securing 38.3% of votes - a 4-point increase from 2020. While Kamala Harris won the state by over 3 million votes, the changing dynamics of the youth vote revealed interesting patterns.
Young voters, ages 18-29, showed evolving voting behaviors both nationally and in California. According to national data, 7% of youth voters who supported Biden in 2020 switched to Trump in 2024. The overall youth turnout dropped notably, with only 42% participation compared to 52-55% in 2020.
The shift manifested differently across demographics. National exit polls showed Trump winning 56% of young men's votes, while Harris captured 58% of young women's support. Among racial groups, Trump gained ground with Latino voters, securing 46% - a 14-point jump from 2020.
Local perspectives highlight various factors driving these changes. Adam Tallabas, chair of Orange County Young Democrats, found that financial pressures like rent and student loans led many young residents to skip voting entirely. Orange County's overall turnout dropped by 8.35% compared to 2020.
Economic concerns resonated strongly with young voters who did participate. Samantha Dalby, a Newport Beach financial advisor, cited Trump's business-focused approach and promised corporate tax cuts as appealing to young professionals in finance.
The election also revealed representation gaps. Sunjay Muralitharan from College Democrats of America noted that many young men felt sidelined by Democratic messaging. Meanwhile, some voters like Antonia Lopez, 22, expressed dissatisfaction with both parties and felt their key issues were "being abandoned."
While California lacks state-specific youth voting data, the national trends and local interviews paint a picture of shifting priorities and participation patterns among young voters. The changes reflect broader economic concerns, varying levels of engagement, and evolving political alignments across different demographic groups.