Letter: Recent poll results about young North Dakota voters were misleading

By: Sydney Stock

October 5, 2025

The Forum's recent article “NDSU survey shows North Dakota college students lean conservative but remain moderate on issues” highlighted findings from the Upper Midwest Regional Center on Public Policy at North Dakota State University.

I was curious and looked deeper into the North Dakota Student Political Engagement survey. What I found, and was not at all surprised by, is that the majority of students, 62.5%, believe abortion should be legal. That number speaks volumes to me as a member of Gen Z and as a North Dakotan.

For years, politicians have acted as if young people like me don’t exist, or worse, that our voices and values don’t matter. They’ve pushed extreme bans and restrictions that are wildly out of touch with our lived realities and our futures.

Our generation understands something simple: the freedom to make personal decisions about our bodies and our futures is fundamental. It’s about dignity, health, and being able to live life on our own terms.

North Dakota students have spoken. I hope politicians start listening.