Chapter 5 – Ohio’s Two-Party System & Voter Behavior
5.6 Party Affiliation by Generation
Party affiliation (or party identification) refers to how people identify with or lean toward one of the two major political parties. Recent national survey data from 2024-2025 shows clear generational patterns that also help explain voting behavior in Ohio.
Younger Americans, especially those in Gen Z, are more likely to identify as Democrats or lean Democratic. About two-thirds of voters in this group fall into the Democratic camp, while about one-third lean Republican. Voters in their late twenties show a similar pattern, though the gap is slightly narrower. People in their thirties still lean Democratic overall, but the margin is smaller, with Republicans picking up more support.
Gender Gaps in Gen Z Party Affiliation
Recent surveys show a gender gap within Generation Z, but not a partisan majority for either group. Gen Z women are more likely than Gen Z men to identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party, while Gen Z men are more likely than Gen Z women to identify with or lean toward the Republican Party. However, independents remain the largest group among both Gen Z men and women. What factors do you think help explain these gender differences in political identification among Gen Z?
By middle age, the balance is nearly even. Voters in their forties and fifties are about evenly split between the two parties. Among older generations, especially those 60 and above, Republicans hold an advantage. This shift reflects a long-term trend where younger generations begin with stronger ties to the Democratic Party, while older generations lean more Republican.
How Ohio Defines Party Registration
It’s worth noting the difference between party affiliation and party registration.
Party affiliation (or party identification) is how a person sees themselves politically. It’s a survey measure — someone might say “I’m a Democrat,” “I’m a Republican,” or “I’m independent.” It captures personal identity and political leanings, even if it isn’t reflected on official records.
Party registration is an official status recorded by the state when a voter registers. In Ohio, you don’t pick a party when you first register to vote. Instead, your party registration is based on which party’s primary you last voted in. If you haven’t voted in a recent primary, you are considered unaffiliated.
This means someone could identify as a Republican in surveys (party affiliation) but be officially registered as unaffiliated in Ohio if they haven’t voted in a GOP primary. Conversely, someone might identify as an independent but still show up in the state’s voter file as a Democrat because they last pulled a Democratic primary ballot.
