Faith that the government will meet their needs is fading among young Californians.
That’s according to a new poll presented Wednesday by Power California that points to what could sway this generation of voters in the 2026 midterms.
The virtual presentation was led by Saa’un Bell, executive vice president of Power California, a statewide civic engagement organization that works with community partners across the state to build political power among young people of color and push for a government that reflects California’s diversity.
Bell was joined by Andrew Proctor, senior analyst at Latino Decisions, the firm that conducted the poll, along with three young voters who spoke to the findings through their own experiences: Christian Caguiat, of Hayward; Jackie Avila, 26, of Fresno; and Adan Primero, 21, of East Los Angeles. The survey polled 1,567 Californians between the ages of 18 and 30 throughout May and June.
“Economic survival has replaced economic mobility,” stated Bell.
Personal stories mirror poll
Caguiat moved constantly growing up and lost his family’s home during the 2008 housing crisis. He lost his health insurance about six months ago after prescription costs tripled or quadrupled, he said, and has since gone without his medications rather than cut into rent and food.
Caguiat grew up watching his parents skip doctor’s appointments to go to work, which left him wary of seeking medical care himself. He has said the choice often came down to paying for “a roof over his head” or risking debt from a recommended treatment. That trade-off showed up in the poll’s numbers as well: 15% of young Californians said they had postponed medical or dental care in the past year because of the cost of living, and 34% said cuts to Medicaid and Medi-Cal have personally affected them, the second-highest share among the federal policies tested.
Avila grew up in Fresno amid periods of financial instability, including a stretch in middle school when her family lived in hotels. She recalled the moment her family finally secured permanent housing by describing lying on the carpet, arms at her sides, in relief. Avila now lives with her mother in low-income housing with her two children and is looking for work as an emergency medical technician.
Young voters aren’t losing hope, they’re losing patience.
Saa’un Bell, executive vice president of Power California
The poll found her home region carrying the heaviest load in the state: 84% of young Central Valley residents reported at least one economic hardship in the past year, the highest rate of any region, and 59% said California is “being built for someone else” rather than for people like them. Despite that strain, the Central Valley posted the highest rates of political engagement in the state, according to the poll.
Primero grew up in East Los Angeles as the youngest of six children, with parents who often worked as street vendors. He said that upbringing put him close to the effects of economic downturns and policy decisions early on, from the 2008 recession to immigration raids and other disruptions that made it difficult for people to be outside, restrictions that didn’t just keep his parents from working but kept away the customers whose business sustained the family.
His account tracks with one of the poll’s findings, where respondents cite federal policies that have personally affected them: 33% cited immigration detainments and deportations, while 35%, the highest share tested, pointed to cuts to federal services, jobs and funding.
Poll reveals broader trends
Broader results from the poll echoed the pressures described by Primero, Avila and Caguiat. Eighty percent of respondents said the cost of living is outpacing their wages, and 71% reported experiencing at least one concrete hardship in the past year, with young Black Californians reporting the heaviest burden across nearly every measure tested. Cost of living and inflation ranked as the single biggest motivator for the 2026 midterms, followed by opposition to the Trump administration, including among voters registered with no party preference.
The poll points to deep skepticism toward institutions broadly. When asked why young people vote at lower rates despite making up a majority of the state’s eligible voters, 40% of respondents pointed to a belief that nothing changes and 40% cited distrust of politicians, while 38% said they are too busy trying to survive. Respondents said they trust parents, friends and local organizations far more than political parties, influencers or faith leaders when forming opinions or deciding how to vote.
“Young voters aren’t losing hope, they’re losing patience,” Bell said.
Bell closed the briefing by asking Primero, Avila and Caguiat what they want elected officials to understand about their generation, a question Avila’s answer spoke to directly.
“We’re real people, despite what we go through, we’re willing to do the work,” Avila said. “And there’s much we want to see changed, but we can’t change if we’re not given the opportunity.”