• Focus Groups

Focus Group Report: Young Black, Hispanic, and Asian Men on the Political Climate & Civic Participation

Wednesday, April 5, 2023 By Bryan Bennett
Download Full Report
Welcome to NAVIGATOR – a project designed to better understand the American public’s views on issues of the day and help advocates, elected officials, and other interested parties understand the language, imagery, and messaging needed to make and win key policy arguments.
Key takeaways
On March 21-22, 2023, GBAO conducted six focus groups online with voters 35 and under who varied across race.

Key takeaways
  • Young men generally feel left out of the economy and only see it working for corporations and the wealthy.
  • The parties are clearly defined, with Democrats on the right side on abortion, student loans, and race, though there are strong feelings of frustration around ineffectiveness. • Older voters and electeds viewed with some skepticism, but anyone who “does the work” can be an advocate.
  • Civic engagement tends to be more enjoyable than voting, but both are viewed as important actions.
  • Trump will motivate these voters to turn out – even if they’re frustrated by their choices.

Participants Unsurprisingly Feel Pessimistic About the Country

Most Point to Technological Innovation and Widespread Job Opportunities as Positive Trends

Corporations and Wealthy Seen as Economy’s Winners

Student Debt Cancellation Is of Urgent Relevance to Many

How important is student loan debt cancellation to you personally?

To Adapt to the Economy, Many Have Made Life Changes

Clear Themes Arise When Describing Both Parties

The Democratic Party Is Viewed as More Empathetic, Albeit not Always Effective

Given the Danger Republicans Represent, Connection to Democrats Is Survival Rather Than Fandom

One Does not Need to Be From a Community to Fight for it, But for Some it Helps

Older Voters and Electeds Are Viewed With Some Skepticism

Across the Board, Few Have Strong Connections to the Words BIPOC, Latinx, or Even POC

Overall, Participants Feel the Midterm Election Had Consequential Impacts on Key Issues in Their States

Many See Voting as a Civic Duty and a Means of Making Their Voice Heard

Participants Understand Constant Voter Contact, Even if it’s a Nuisance

Civic Participation Is Enjoyable, Varied, and Can Be Motivated by Anything

Men Say Abortion Rights Are a Top-Tier Issue for Them Personally

Trump on the Ballot Is Undoubtedly Motivating

 

About The Study

GBAO conducted six online focus groups March 21-22, 2023 with AAPI men in Georgia and Texas, Black voters in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and Hispanic voters in Arizona and Nevada – all 35 years old and under.

Like the info here?

Get it directly in your inbox when new polls are released.

About Navigator

In a world where the news cycle is the length of a tweet, our leaders often lack the real-time public-sentiment analysis to shape the best approaches to talking about the issues that matter the most. Navigator is designed to act as a consistent, flexible, responsive tool to inform policy debates by conducting research and reliable guidance to inform allies, elected leaders, and the press. Navigator is a project led by pollsters from Global Strategy Group and GBAO along with an advisory committee, including: Andrea Purse, progressive strategist; Arkadi Gerney, The Hub Project; Joel Payne, The Hub Project; Christina Reynolds, EMILY’s List; Delvone Michael, Working Families; Felicia Wong, Roosevelt Institute; Mike Podhorzer, AFL-CIO; Jesse Ferguson, progressive strategist; Navin Nayak, Center for American Progress Action Fund; Stephanie Valencia, EquisLabs; and Melanie Newman, Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

For press inquiries contact: press@navigatorresearch.org