For Immediate Release Contact:
Chuck Porcari
chuckporcari@gmail.com
(240) 286-7566

SURVEY OF ITALIAN AMERICAN VOTERS REVEALS A HIGHLY ENGAGED ELECTORATE
Family Upbringing and Cultural Values are Dominant Elements of Voting Patterns

Washington DC – May 27, 2024 - A multi-generational survey of Italian American frequent voters reveals a highly engaged segment of the national electorate, citing family upbringing and cultural values as dominant influences in their voting patterns.

The Social Sphere survey of 544 Italian American registered voters taken last fall was specifically designed to explore the role that their cultural heritage and values play in personal identity, political beliefs and voting behavior. A plurality (41%) of those surveyed were registered Republicans, 30 percent were Democrats and nearly as many (27%) were Independents. Further, 84 percent of respondents say they will definitely vote in 2024, and over half describe themselves as politically active.

“Nearly half of Italian American voters say their heritage is integral to who they are, as much as religion and faith,” said retired U.S. Circuit Court Judge Arthur Gajarsa, President and Board Chair of the Italian American Policy Center. “Their heritage is also more important to them than political party, hometown or race,” Gajarsa said.

In a hypothetical matchup between President Biden and former President Trump the October, 2023 survey found Trump leading by 12 percentage points with this group of voters, 46% to 34%. Interestingly, 14% of those surveyed volunteered they would vote for another candidate under this scenario and 3% would not vote at all. Only four percent were undecided. The survey also showed President Biden in a stronger position with younger Gen Z and Millennial voters (-2), than with those over the age of 45 (-18).

“Much like what we perceive with the electorate overall, we found a strong majority of respondents said neither the Democratic or Republican party – nor their individual representatives – was representing Italian Americans well,” Gajarsa said. [ Survey Memo: Public Opinion Survey of Italian American Voters]

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IAPC (IA-PolicyCenter.org) focuses on foreign and domestic policy, including but not limited to immigration, trans-Atlantic security, trade relations with Italy, climate change and social justice. IAPC promotes educational awareness of Italian heritage, history, language and culture in the United States, and thereby promoting awareness of Italian American experience, to forge a more inclusive community both nationally and abroad.