MaltaToday survey | The undecided: 16% of young voters will not vote

One out of every six (16%) voters aged 18 to 34 will not vote in the next election, the latest MaltaToday survey shows. The survey however shows that the number of younger people who have made up their mind on which party they will be voting for has increased from 61% to 69% over last month’s survey. 

But while younger people are less undecided than other age groups on which party they will vote for, more are likely to say that they won’t vote. The percentage of non-voters among 18- to 34-year-olds has gone up from 10% in April to 16% now.

On the other hand 35- to 54-year-olds – the age group where Labour is strongest – are the most likely to be undecided. 16% (up from 13% last month) in this age group are now undecided.

Labour is still enjoying its greatest lead among 35- to 54-year-olds and the Nationalist Party is just two points behind Labour party among those over 55 years of age. 

A graph depicting voting intentions

A graph depicting who respondents trust must

Moreover for the first time Simon Busuttil is more trusted than Muscat among those aged over 55 years. Among this age group Busuttil leads Muscat by three points even if the PN lags two points behind Labour. 

But Muscat leads Busuttil by 10 points among 35- to 54-year-olds. Last month Muscat led Busuttil by five points among over 55-year-olds and by 12 points among 35- to 54-year olds. This suggests that while Busuttil has gained ground among the older age group, Muscat has lost two points among 35- to 54-year-olds.

The survey shows that 69.4% (compared to 61.2% last month) of the 18- to 34-years- old group made up their mind whom they would be voting for, compared to 64.2% of 35-54-year-olds and 71.3% of over-55-year-olds.

The survey also shows the percentage of non-voters among 35- to 54-year-olds decreasing from 13% to 10%. On the other hand the survey now shows over 55-year olds as the most likely to have made up their mind. Among this category 75% have now made up their mind, up from 73% last month.

Small parties enjoy the highest level of support among 18- to 34-year olds. Among this age group 5.5% would vote for a small party. AD enjoys its largest support among under-35-year olds while the PD (which has now agreed to contest under the PN banner) is stronger among 35- to 54-year-olds.