1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to prioritize addressing the cost-of-living crisis that is driving young voters away from both major political parties and threatening their faith in our democratic system. Recent data from the GenForward survey and Harvard Institute of Politics Youth Poll paint a troubling picture. Only 13% of young adults believe our country is headed in the right direction, and 43% report they are struggling financially or just getting by. Nearly 9 in 10 young people express concern about food prices and healthcare costs, with housing anxiety particularly acute. This is not abstract worry but lived economic hardship affecting an entire generation. Young voters are characterized by electoral instability precisely because neither party is effectively addressing their affordability crisis. While they currently lean Democratic on the 2026 generic congressional ballot at 46% to 29%, roughly 60% hold unfavorable views of both major parties. Over 80% believe the parties do such a poor job that voters need more political party choices. About 3 in 10 young voters reject both major party options entirely, representing soft partisanship that could evaporate if their economic concerns remain unaddressed. The consequences extend beyond electoral politics. Most young people, regardless of party affiliation, say American democracy is either in trouble or only somewhat functioning. Their commitment to democracy itself is beginning to soften when they see the system failing to deliver economic security. I urge you to champion legislation that directly tackles housing affordability, healthcare costs, and food prices. Young voters are not ideologically rigid, they are economically desperate. They will support whichever party demonstrates it can deliver tangible relief from the crushing cost of living. If neither party rises to this challenge, we risk permanently alienating an entire generation from democratic participation. Will you commit to making affordability your legislative priority and engaging directly with young constituents about their economic struggles?