Opinion Today: How these 14 young voters are seeing the election

We checked back in with our focus group of undecided young people.

View in browser|nytimes.com September 18, 2024 By Adrian J. Rivera Editorial Assistant, Opinion Times Opinion has conducted nearly 60 focus groups over the last three years. We've spoken with hundreds of Americans of all different ages, races, economic backgrounds and political beliefs about topics as varied as "Yellowstone," the 2022 midterms, being transgender in America and, of course, the 2024 election. In August, we began to do something new: Patrick Healy, the deputy Opinion editor, and Frank Luntz, the longtime pollster, convened a panel of young Americans who said they were undecided between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. But rather than conduct just one focus group with this batch of participants, we decided to meet with them regularly through the general election season, gauging their reaction to moments in the news. The Trump-Harris debate on Sept. 10 was one such moment. Though the group's 14 participants unanimously agreed that Harris won the debate, only four said they'd vote for her if the election were held today; five said they'd vote for Trump; several participants said they wouldn't be able to decide. "I think Harris is too radical, but Trump continues to concern me between his character, temperament and overall well-being," said McLane, a 25-year-old from Washington, D.C. Despite their general disdain for both candidates, these young undecided voters offered potential road maps for how Harris and Trump might ultimately persuade them. "I want her to explain all the flip-flopping," said Ben, a 20-year-old from Michigan. "I grew up in California. She was the most liberal U.S. senator. And now she's trying to run as a moderate." Jack, a 22-year-old from New York, said he wanted Trump "to just put aside the B.S. and accept the results of the 2020 election. Move on. Have a forward-looking mind-set." Though the vibes seem to favor Harris at the moment, our group makes clear that she is having trouble building trust and sealing the deal with voters like them, who, in a race as tight as this one, could make a difference in some swing states that matter most in November. Read the conversation: Illustrations by Lucinda Rogers These 14 Undecided Young Voters Are Starting to Change Their Minds The focus group's participants weigh Trump and Harris in the wake of the Sept. 10 debate. By Patrick Healy, Frank Luntz and Adrian J. Rivera Here's what we're focusing on today: Editors' Picks Kyle Johnson for The New York Times Guest Essay Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Tina Smith: Our Solution to the Housing Crisis Instead of treating real estate as a commodity, we can underwrite the construction of millions of permanently affordable homes and apartments. By Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Tina Smith More From Opinion Thomas L. Friedman America's Role in the World Is Hard. It Just Got Much Harder. The explosion of wireless devices across Lebanon casts in sharp relief the challenges of U.S. foreign policy facing Kamala Harris or Donald Trump. By Thomas L. Friedman Jamelle Bouie What Happens in Springfield Won't Stay in Springfield When you start talking about people "poisoning the blood of our country," this is where you end up. And it's not over. By Jamelle Bouie Guest Essay The Children of the Islamic State Are Innocent. Bring Them Home. Children are growing up in the same camps as the Islamic State's true believers. This is inhumane, and it's not making anyone safer. By Myriam Francois and Azeem Ibrahim Guest Essay The Man Behind the End of Roe v. Wade Has Big Plans for America In the world of political fund-raising, there is hard money, soft money, dark money — and Leonard Leo money. By Thomas B. Edsall Bret stephens What Harris Must Do to Win Over Skeptics (Like Me) It's not enough to be "Not Trump." By Bret Stephens Guest Essay Biden Needs to Work on His Clemency Legacy It is more important than ever in an era of grossly excessive punishments and mass incarceration. By Rachel E. Barkow and Mark Osler The Opinions Paul Krugman: 'We Beat Inflation.' Here's What the Fed Should Do Now. The Nobel-winning economist has some advice for Jerome Powell. 9 MIN LISTEN Guest Essay The Real Reason the Harris Twang Is Driving Republicans Crazy Here's a hint: It's not about linguistic purity. By Elizabeth Spiers PAul Krugman Trumpism, Stalinism and the Tariff Debate The spirit of Trofim Lysenko comes to trade policy. By Paul Krugman Roberto Schmidt/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images letters The Republicans' Dehumanizing Lies About Haitians Readers discuss the harm from the lies about immigrants eating dogs and cats. Also: The guns; Americans in exile; the pope and the election; the debates. We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times. Games Here are today's Mini Crossword, Wordle and Spelling Bee. If you're in the mood to play more, find all our games here. Forward this newsletter to friends to share ideas and perspectives that will help inform their lives. They can sign up here. Do you have feedback? Email us at opiniontoday@nytimes.com. If you have questions about your Times account, delivery problems or other issues, visit our Help Page or contact The Times. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for the Opinion Today newsletter from The New York Times. To stop receiving Opinion Today, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018