Young voters across the Philly region are expressing frustration with President Joe Biden due to his handling of the conflict in Gaza. This issue is causing many to question whether they will vote for Biden in the upcoming election. A December New York Time poll found that 72% of voters ages 18 to 29 disapproved of Biden’s handling of the conflict, and more broadly, 67% of voters in this age group disapproved of Biden’s overall job performance. This frustration with Biden presents a potential challenge for him as he looks to hold onto the coalition that elected him with re-election just nine months away.
The conflict in Gaza has emerged as a particularly potent issue for young voters, overshadowing other concerns such as Biden’s age and domestic policies. The fact that young voters typically vote at a lower rate than older voters means that Biden could struggle to repair the fissures in his base before Election Day.
Young voters previously felt that voting for Democratic candidates was the safest option, but in the face of continued support for Israel from both parties, many are rethinking this perspective. Many are expressing frustration with Biden, and while some still plan to vote for him, others are considering withholding their vote as a form of protest to hold officials accountable for ignoring their demands.
There is a concern that widespread frustration with Biden over the Gaza conflict could impact organizing and voter turnout come Election Day. Despite this, many young voters who are considering voting for Biden are doing so unenthusiastically, feeling conflicted about his leadership and his party’s ability to fulfill its promises.
The conflict in Gaza will continue to be a significant factor in the upcoming election, potentially impacting Biden’s re-election bid and the broader Democratic Party coalition. The coming months will be critical in determining the impact of young voters’ dissatisfaction and how it may shape the outcome of the election.
