Young adults trust President Barack Obama more than Republican candidate Mitt Romney, but Romney supporters are more likely to vote Tuesday, according to a recent survey.
The Harvard Institute of Politics survey of more than 2,000 18- to 29-year-olds also found that less than half of young adults are expected to vote in this year’s election.
Beth Rosenson, associate professor of political science at UF, said she was surprised by the results. She said the age gap between the candidates might lead to students trusting Obama more.
“From a student’s perspective, Obama may be more like your father, and Romney’s like your grandfather,” she said.
Anel Henry, an 18-year-old biology freshman, said he doesn’t think Obama’s age has anything to do with his popularity among young voters.
“He has specifics and says his plan,” he said. “Romney doesn’t.”
Rosenson said minorities generally vote at lower rates than nonminorities, which might be why the study shows Romney supporters are more likely to visit voting booths. In addition, many students are from out of town, a factor which often discourages them from registering to vote.
Nate Poling, a 31-year-old educational technology doctoral student, said he thinks Obama had a bigger influence on young voters in the 2008 election than for this year’s election.
Still, he said young adults might find Obama more trustworthy because he seems personable in public appearances.
“In my opinion, Romney comes across as a typical politician,” he said.
Poling said he isn’t surprised a low number of young adults are expected to vote.
“It’s politics,” he said. “When I was young, politics was for older people.”
Evan Poirier, 30, spray paints a political mural in support of First Friday: Red, White and Vote downtown on Friday night. “I wanted something bipartisan that would get people out and voting,” Poirier said.
