Poll: Most young Americans say Republican and Democratic don’t represent them

FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2014, file photo. the perimeter fence sits in front of the White House fence on the North Lawn along Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington. Most young Americans say the Republican and Democratic parties don’t represent them, a critical data point after a year of ferocious presidential primaries that forced partisans on both sides to confront what _ and whom _ they stand for. A new GenForward poll also shows that disconnect holds true across racial and ethnic groups, with just 28 percent of young adults overall saying two parties do a good job of representing the American people. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2014, file photo. the perimeter fence sits in front of the White House fence on the North Lawn along Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington. Most young Americans say the Republican and Democratic parties don’t represent them, a critical data point after a year of ferocious presidential primaries that forced partisans on both sides to confront what _ and whom _ they stand for. A new GenForward poll also shows that disconnect holds true across racial and ethnic groups, with just 28 percent of young adults overall saying two parties do a good job of representing the American people. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

By Associated Press August 5, 2016 4 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – Most young Americans say the Republican and Democratic parties don’t represent them, a critical data point after a year of ferocious presidential primaries that forced partisans on both sides to confront what – and whom – they stand for.

That’s according to a new GenForward poll that shows the disconnect holds true across racial and ethnic groups, with just 28 percent of young adults overall saying the two major parties do a good job of representing the American people.

The poll shows that despite this across-the-board feeling of disenchantment with the two-party system, the Democratic Party holds a clear advantage in appealing to young people of color. But among young whites, majorities feel left out by both parties.

More than two-thirds of young adults, including vast majorities of young Asian-Americans, Hispanics and blacks, say the Republican Party does not care about people like them.

Democrats fare a bit better among young people overall, with a small majority – 53 percent – saying the party cares about people like them. Among young African-Americans, Hispanics and Asian-Americans, most believe the party does care about people like them. But among young whites, majorities say both parties don’t care much about them, including 58 percent who say that of the Republican Party and 52 percent who say it about the Democratic Party.