Rudolph Angler The 2024 election revealed surprising shifts in voting trends among generational groups. Preliminary exit polls showed Democrats lost significant ground with Gen Z, while Republicans saw a stronger showing with Gen X. Gen X shifted nine points towards Donald Trump compared to 2020, and Gen Z favored Kamala Harris by 11 points, down from the 24-point lead Biden had over Trump. Millennials showed a minor rightward shift, while boomers were evenly split, marking an unusual trend as they became the only age group that moved towards Democrats since the previous election.
Gen Z’s shift towards the right reflects a broader trend among teens, who are reportedly twice as likely to identify as conservative compared to millennials at a similar age. The Trump campaign’s strategic use of social media, podcasts, and influencer partnerships played a role in reaching younger voters. This outreach may have led Gen Z to feel the GOP resonated with them more than the Democrats.
Gen X also leaned more rightward, potentially driven by economic concerns, as they juggle financial challenges such as saving for retirement and homeownership. Their role as caretakers of both children and aging parents leaves many feeling financially insecure. This sense of economic precarity might explain why Gen X showed the highest disapproval of Biden in recent polls.
Boomers, meanwhile, demonstrated a rare tilt towards Democrats, a trend that could be partly due to demographic changes, as older male boomers, who lean more conservative, pass away at a higher rate than their female counterparts, who tend to vote Democratic.
These generational shifts challenge long-held assumptions about each age group’s political leanings, adding new dynamics to the U.S. political landscape.