Young Voters & Political Affiliation | NBC New York
New York City’s electorate is shifting.This study reveals that young voters and men are increasingly likely to be politically unaffiliated—a key trend impacting upcoming primary races.Approximately 31.7% of men aged 18-29 in NYC identify as unaffiliated compared to 25% of women in the same age group, with Asian men showing the highest non-affiliation rates. John Mollenkopf’s research at the CUNY Graduate Center provides crucial insights, with future analyses planned to further refine the data. stay informed with News Directory 3 for the latest on New York City’s evolving voter landscape. Discover what’s next in the city’s political arena.
NYC Voter Study: Unaffiliated Voters Skew Young and Male
Updated June 12, 2025
A recent study sheds light on voter affiliation trends in New York City, revealing that younger voters and men are the least likely to identify with a political party. The analysis, focusing on voter demographics and political participation, offers insights into the electorate ahead of upcoming primary races.
The Reinvent Albany study indicates that approximately 31.7% of men aged 18 to 29 in NYC are unaffiliated. This contrasts with women in the same age group,where roughly 25% identify as unaffiliated. Among men,Asian voters show the highest rate of non-affiliation,followed by white,Hispanic,and Black voters.
John Mollenkopf, director of the Center for Urban Research at the CUNY Graduate Center, conducted the study, utilizing voter rolls and data from the American Community Survey to estimate party affiliation among NYC voters. Mollenkopf plans to refine the estimates with more advanced statistical methods later this year.
The study also highlights an age gradient, with younger voters consistently showing lower rates of party affiliation compared to older voters. While young women are more likely to be unaffiliated than older women, their rates remain lower than those of men in the same age brackets. This data underscores the evolving landscape of voter engagement and the importance of understanding these demographic shifts in new York City’s political arena.
What’s next
Future analyses will incorporate more sophisticated statistical methods to further refine the understanding of voter affiliation trends in New York City, providing deeper insights into the dynamics of the city’s electorate.