A bipartisan issue: Young voters looking for criminal justice and supervision reform
A new poll today from REFORM Alliance shows that a majority of young people support "modernizing the criminal justice system" and want the presidential candidates to address the issue, too.
With a national focus on the economy, abortion rights, and immigration, some priority issues for young people have been absent from mainstream media coverage. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t on the minds of young voters.
When it comes to the criminal justice system, a new poll released today commissioned by REFORM Alliance shows that 64% of young people ages 18-28 are in favor of a presidential candidate who “advocates for modernizing the criminal justice system, including probation and parole reforms.”
Beyond that, 59% of those surveyed said they would be more likely to vote for president at all if candidates addressed the issue.
REFORM Alliance — the bipartisan organization supporting probation and parole reform in the United States co-chaired by rapper Meek Mill and Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin — was founded in 2019 after Mill’s re-imprisonment for probation violations and the #FreeMeek movement.
With the release of its poll today, REFORM Alliance noted that Gen Z is the most diverse generation in American history and highlighted their electoral clout as a critical voting bloc.
“This is a generational ultimatum,” Jessica Jackson, Chief Executive Officer at REFORM Alliance, said in a statement. “Gen Z is eager to hear more from candidates about their solutions to this issue, up and down the ballot. As the most diverse generation, they’re looking for leaders who speak directly to their values and lived experiences.”
While the REFORM Alliance poll was focused on criminal justice and reform policies, respondents were asked about the presidential horserace. Asked who they would vote for if the election were held today the poll showed a 13-point margin in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris: 43% said they would vote for Harris, while 30% said they would vote for former President Donald Trump. Broken down by demographics, the poll showed a stark divide. The survey found Trump up against Harris amongst young white voters by 8 points: 42% to 34%. Amongst young Black voters, Harris is up over Trump by 38 points: 54% to 16%. And amongst hispanic voters, Harris is up over Trump by 12 points: 44% to 32%.
The poll, conducted by The Bullfinch Group, surveyed 1000 young adults born between 1996 and 2006. 75% of respondents were registered or likely voters. The full results of the poll can be found here.
There’s more. According to the survey:
Public safety is a top concern, with 90% of respondents saying it’s important to them
Young people are looking for elected officials support on the issue: 72% of respondents say it’s “important their elected officials support criminal justice reform”
29% of respondents say criminal justice and supervision reform should be a priority for ALL candidates running for office
Broken down on party lines 22% said it should be a priority, especially for Democrats, while 18% said it should be a priority, especially for Republicans
Along with the poll today, REFORM Alliance rolled out its ‘Future Shapers Network’ with a goal of “mobilizing Gen Z voices in battleground states and nationwide.” The network will focus on empowering young leaders to champion the issue of criminal justice and supervision reforms. It marks the latest effort to engage young leaders after the launch of a ‘Future Shaper Advisory Council’ last year. Hannah Jackson, who co-chairs the council, emphasized in a statement that criminal justice is an issue that matters to young people across the political spectrum — and is something that young people of all backgrounds call rally behind.
“Gen Z doesn’t see criminal justice reform as a partisan issue—it’s a matter of common sense and fairness. Whether you’re on the left or right, we all want safer communities and a system that works for everyone. That’s why the Future Shapers Network is focused on bringing people together across the political spectrum to modernize probation and parole. Real change happens when we unite, and Gen Z is ready to work with leaders from both sides to get it done,” Jackson said.