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. 

• Fall 2006 Youth Survey

  The 11th Biannual Youth Survey on Politics and Public Service by Harvard's IOP. More

• Spring 2006 Youth Survey

  The 10th Biannual Youth Survey on Politics and Public Service More

• Fall 2005 Youth Survey

  Results from the Fall 2005 edition of our bi-annual survey of youth in relation to politics and public service. More

• Spring 2005 Youth Survey

  The results from the Spring 2005 edition of our bi-annual survey of youth in relation to politics and public service. More

• Fall 2004 Youth Survey

  Objectives were to look in depth into the 2004 election and the issues driving college students' votes, how they vote, and interest in voting. More

• Spring 2004 Youth Survey

  The Spring 2004 edition of our bi-annual youth survey pertaining to politics and public service. More

• Fall 2003 Youth Survey

  Results from the Fall 2003 edition of our bi-annual youth survey on politics and public service. More

• Spring 2003 Youth Survey

  The Spring 2003 edition of our bi-annual youth survey. More

• Fall 2002 Youth Survey

  The Fall 2002 edition of our bi-annual youth survey. More

• Fall 2001 Youth Survey

  Results from the Fall 2001 edition of our bi-annual Youth Survey. More