Youth political participation before the first presidential debate, Mexico 2024

Abstract

Introduction. Young people represent one of the largest age groups, making them a focus of interest due to the political influence they can have in the country. Objective. Delineate some of the factors that impact the political participation and interest of young Mexicans in relation to the first presidential debate of the 2024 electoral process and their voting intention. Methodology. A quantitative nature and under a descriptive, transversal, and non-experimental approach. A survey was conducted with 535 young people between 18 and 27 years old who reside in 26 states of the country, segmented into two age groups according to their electoral experience. Results. 8 out of 10 participants attended the first debate. Digital media, such as social networks and streaming services, were their main access channels, while traditional media were implemented to a lesser extent. Those who did not listen to or watch this broadcast indicated that the reasons for not doing so included lack of time, not knowing the schedule, and an evident disenchantment with politics associated with perceptions of corruption and government inefficiency. Even so, 72% of young people showed interest in watching future debates, and 81% declared their intention to vote. Conclusion. The findings denote the need to develop transparent communication strategies that promote the credibility of the political figure and the political expectations and concerns oriented toward youth, prioritizing digital environments that are rising due to their demand.