Survey

Since 2000, the Institute's Survey committee has conducted biannual polling of America's college-age students. All surveys are designed and analyzed by Harvard College undergraduates in consultation with the Institute's director of polling, John Della Volpe. Until 2009, the surveys polled 18-24 year olds to track the youth vote's attitudes toward politics and public service. In 2009, the survey evolved to encompass 18-29 year olds through a smaller tracking poll in the fall and a sweeping, 3000-person survey in the spring.

Starting in 2004, the surveys have broken college students into four new, distinct ideological groups. To see where you're views place you, take the IOP's Political Personality Test. The group also released a special publication "Are You Talking to Me? A Guide to Reaching Young Voters."

Students in the committee draft questions, analyze results, and prepare a report which is released to political campaigns and media outlets nationwide. Members also meet with prominent IOP fellows and speakers to discuss survey findings. Each semester a few active students unveil the results at a press conference in D.C. 

• Spring 2012 Survey

  The 21th Biannual Youth Survey on Politics and Public Service More

• Spring 2011 Survey

  The 19th Biannual Youth Survey on Politics and Public Service More

• Fall 2011 Survey

  The 20th Biannual Youth Survey on Politics and Public Service More

• Fall 2010 Survey

  The 17th Biannual Youth Survey on Politics and Public Service More

• Spring 2010 Survey

  The 18th Biannual Youth Survey on Politics and Public Service More

• Fall 2009 Youth Poll

  The 16th Biannual Youth Survey on Politics and Public Service More

• Fall 2008 Survey

  The 15th Biannual Youth Survey on Politics and Public Service More

• IOP Youth Polling Update

  The 2008 Convention Survey Update More

• Spring 2007 Survey

  The 12th Biannual Youth Survey on Politics and Public Service More

• Spring 2008 Survey

  The 14th Biannual Youth Survey on Politics and Public Service More