Kamala Harris’s 2024 Presidential Bid: Analysis of Youth Voter Support and Campaign Outcomes

Vice President Kamala Harris‘s bid for the presidency in the 2024 election has ended in defeat, with former President Donald Trump securing the victory. Despite her loss, Harris garnered significant support from young voters, a demographic that has been a crucial component of her campaign.

According to data from the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University, young voters nationwide showed the highest support for Harris among all age groups. In Minnesota, for example, voters aged 18 to 29 preferred Harris by an 18-point margin, with 58% voting for her compared to 40% for Trump.

However, the overall trend indicated an increase in support for Trump among young people compared to the 2020 election. Young white men were a key group driving this increased support, voting for Trump with a 28-point margin. Despite this, youth of color remained strong supporters of Harris, with 75% of Black youth and 72% of Asian youth voting for her.

The economy and jobs were identified as the primary factors influencing the voting decisions of many young voters, which correlated with a higher likelihood of voting for Trump. Additionally, about 42% of eligible young people across the country voted in the 2024 election, a turnout rate comparable to 2016 but lower than in 2020.

Harris’s campaign faced several challenges, including perceptions of political hubris and an inability to convince voters across various demographics. Analysts suggest that her campaign was burdened by past perceptions and an inability to connect with a broader voter base.