Gen Z shifts right as liberal identification drops dramatically
- A Morning Consult report indicates that Gen Z is moving towards conservatism with 24% identifying as conservative as of 2025.
- Former President Barack Obama has urged young Democrats to engage with the political process rather than express dissatisfaction with the party.
- The political landscape among younger voters is shifting, with Gen Z expressing increased demand for alignment with their values within the Democratic Party.
In 2025, a Morning Consult report indicated a notable shift in political affiliation among Generation Z in the United States. The findings revealed that this youngest voting cohort has become significantly more conservative, with 24% identifying as conservative and only 30% identifying as liberal. The change marks a 12 percentage point decrease in self-identified liberals since 2016, contrasting sharply with a 5-point decline in liberal identification observed within the general population. In 2016, the percentage of Gen Z identifying as liberal stood at 42%, whereas, by June 2025, it had dropped to 30%. This trend has sparked discussions among political analysts regarding the implications for future elections and the shifting ideological landscape of younger voters. Additionally, a growing proportion of Gen Z, 21%, now claims to have no opinion or identify as 'don’t know,' suggesting a further fragmentation of political perspective among this group. Political commentators have noted the internal divisions within Gen Z regarding social issues, such as the #MeToo movement, and emphasized that both men and women in this demographic are increasingly polarized in their views. Additionally, former President Barack Obama has encouraged younger Democrats to become more actively involved and to challenge the prevailing sentiments of dissatisfaction within the party's establishment. This urge to engage might stem from a perception of disengagement from traditional Democratic strategies. As young politicians, like Deja Foxx, rise, they reflect a broader effort by Gen Z to reshape the party to better align with their values. In response to these dynamics, conservative commentators argue that the increasing conservatism of Gen Z suggests a major generational shift possibly comparable to significant cultural movements of the past. As evidence of this shift mounts, Democrats find themselves at a crossroads, needing to address the concerns of younger voters while simultaneously navigating an evolving political landscape marked by heightened engagement and activism among Gen Z.