A new survey by Harvard's Institute of Politics concludes young Americans have little faith in the government and hold many left-leaning views.
The survey results show 55 percent of Americans ages 18 to 29 would prefer a Democrat wins the presidential election next year. And nearly half, 49 percent, have little or no confidence in the United States criminal justice system's ability to "fairly judge people without bias for race and ethnicity."
In regards to the #BlackLivesMatter campaign that has resulted in protests across the country since last summer, there is a large gap between races within the 18 to 29 age group. And overall, support for the cause is evenly split, with each side garnering 49 percent support.
Thirty-seven percent of whites ages 18 to 29 support the campaign, while 59 percent of Hispanics in that same age group back it. African-Americans, however, overwhelmingly support the cause (81 percent).
"We believe it's important to listen to our young people," Harvard Institute of Politics director Maggie Williams said,
reports USA Today. "Many are leading now and our choices will depend on their leadership."
Other findings from the survey:
- Hillary Clinton is the preferred candidate to represent the Democrat Party in the 2016 presidential election
- The crowded race for the Republican presidential nomination does not have a clear front-runner, with Dr. Ben Carson — an African-American and former neurosurgeon — garnering the most support at 10 percent
- 57 percent of those surveyed support sending U.S. ground troops to the Middle East to help defeat the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group
- 75 percent believe global warming is a "proven fact"
- President Barack Obama's approval rating among 18- to 29-year-olds has increased since October, rising from 43 percent to 50 percent
Clinton said Wednesday the criminal justice system has become "out of balance" and needs an overhaul.
"It's time to change our approach," Clinton said. "It's time to end the era of mass incarceration."
Regarding the police-related deaths of African-Americans,
including the Freddie Gray matter that has led to violent riots in Baltimore, Clinton said something has to change.
"The violence has to stop," she said. "We have to come to terms with some hard truths about race and justice in America."