John, it’s been a big year in politics. From Trump 2.0 to Zohran’s victory to Justin Trudeau dating Katy Perry – 2025 was full of shocking headlines. Through it all, young people remain a powerful force shaping political outcomes and trends — but it’s also clear they’re struggling.

From our spring polling with Tulchin to conversations on college campuses and online, young people consistently shared deep fear, frustration, and uncertainty about their futures. Most couldn’t name just one issue, instead describing how affordability, wages, healthcare, college costs, reproductive care, free speech, and democracy are all interconnected. What surprised us most was how eager young people were to talk — many are looking for space to be heard and to make sense of the moment.

When we initially started this campaign, we didn’t expect to have such a high response rate. Young people will talk on the phone, and a lot of them are looking for a channel to vent their frustrations about current events and what it means for their futures. You can read more about our insights on Substack: 

One lesson from 2025 is clear: when leaders listen to young people and prioritize the issues they care about, engagement and participation follow. As we look toward 2026, we’re reflecting on these lessons and thinking ahead. Preventing further disengagement will require organizing that bridges the personal and the political, countering isolation and building real connection.

We’re committed to continuing this work — creating spaces for young people to learn, engage, and build power with confidence. 

There is much more information on our polling results, what it all means for young people, our political leaders, and the road ahead. Be sure to check out our Substack for the whole story. 

Let’s do this, 

NextGen America