South Carolina millennials have shown interest in the ongoing presidential campaign, based on polling data released days before the Republican primary.

Interested Millennials

Most millennials agree the presidential campaign, regardless of political affiliation, is "interesting." Millennials, comprising of individuals between 18 and 29 years old in the CBS News and YouGov poll, said the 2016 presidential campaign is "very interesting," ahead of the "somewhat interesting" group that accounted for 27 percent. Narrowly behind were the "not too interesting" demographic, which polled at 22 percent.

In terms of percentage, more millennials were not interested in the presidential campaign than the older age groups of 30 to 44 year olds (16 percent), 45 to 64 year olds and 65 years old and higher (14 percent, each).

Definite Yet Undecided

Ahead of the upcoming presidential primary elections, 69 percent of millennials said they will "definitely" vote, while 4 percent said "probably" or "maybe" at 10 percent. Fifteen percent indicated their absence from the primary voting booth.

The presidential campaigns appear to have room to persuade registered millennial voters to change their political party preference. Nearly a quarter, or 24 percent, said they do not know which primary they're likely to vote for: either Democratic or Republican. Among millennials, 39 percent plan to vote in the Democratic presidential primary on Feb. 27, more than the 24 percent set to vote on the Republican primary on Feb. 20. Twelve percent said they don't plan on voting for either major political party.

Republican Choice

The poll was conducted prior to the campaign suspensions of Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina and Jim Gilmore, which didn't really affect percentages as each of the aforementioned three Republicans received 0 percent. Four candidates were in a statistical tie for first place. Millennials' top choice was Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, each attracted 23 percent. Businessman Donald Trump and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson also tied at 22 percent. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush outdid Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, 5 percent to 3 percent

Democratic Choice

Unlike the GOP field, which showed millennials favoring at least four candidates, the Democratic field had an obvious winner. New Hampshire primary winner and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders received most of the support with 63 percent, defeating Iowa caucus winner and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's 37 percent. Clinton did win with older Democrats, specifically among the 45 to 64 and 65 and older demographics.

Sanders was found to be most trustworthy, at 100 percent, with millennials. Clinton, however, encountered trouble. The numbers nearly split as 44 percent said she is not trustworthy, 43 percent said she is trustworthy but 13 percent were not sure.

For millennials leaning Democrat, the debate performances, reactions to news and events and campaign contact are important. On the GOP field, contact from a campaign is not ranked as important, but millennials are still tracking debates and news coverage.

CBS News Battleground Tracker: South Carolina, February 2016 by CBSNewsPolitics

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