Age Gap in Voting Preferences Percent voting for Democratic candidate
The last two presidential elections have had the widest gaps in voting between young and old of any election since 1972. This year, 60% of those under 30 backed Obama, compared with just 48% of those 30 and older; in 2008, the gap was 16 points (66% of under 30 supported Obama vs. 50% of those 30 and older).
This year’s 12-point difference between old and young this year was identical to the gap in 1972, when 46% of voters 18-29 supported George McGovern compared with just 34% of those 30 and older.
Age Gap in Voting Preferences  | Percent voting for Democratic candidate  | AGE gap +12  | +6  | +16  | +12  | 70%  | 18- 29 years old  | 66  | 60% voted for  | 60%  | Obama in 2012  | 60  | 54  | 53  | 51  | 48  | 50  | 46  | 50  | 50  | 48%  | 40  | 48  | 48  | 45  | 40  | 43  | 40  | 30+ years old  | 38  | 48% voted for  | 30  | Obama in 2012  | 20  | 1972  | 1980  | 1988  | 1996  | 2004  | 2012  | McGovern  | Carter  | Dukakis  | Clinton  | Kerry Bush  | Obama  | Nixon  | Bush  | Kerry Bush  | Reagan  | Dole  | Romney  | 1976  | 1984  | 1992  | 2000  | 2008  | Carter  | Reagan Mondale  | Clinton  | Gore  | McCain Obama  | McCain Obama  | Ford  | Reagan Mondale  | Bush  | Bush  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER, Based on exit poll data from the National Election Pool, 