The issue of student debt promises to be a major factor in the 2016 presidential election, judging from a survey conducted by DirectTextbook.com, the world's most comprehensive textbook price comparison service. Survey results, infographic and source material may be viewed at http://www.directtextbook.com/blog/16/08/Will-the-Student-Debt-Crisis-Decide-the-Election?.

The survey polled nearly 500 college students and parents on the topic of student debt. Notable findings include:

• 78% of college students and 92% of parents plan to vote in the 2016 presidential election

• 90% of voting students and 84% of parents say candidates' positions on student debt is important when deciding who they'll vote for

• 83% of students and 65% of parents say changes should be made to reduce the burden of student debt

Favored student debt relief strategies include:

• Income-based repayment (70% students, 51% parents)

• Increased government-sponsored financial aid (68% students, 38% parents)

• Complete student loan forgiveness (45% students, 22% parents)

In addition, 18% of students and 27% of parents prefer total individual accountability; while just 5% of students and 8% of parents say no changes should be made to the current system.

Student debt is as important as unemployment and health care

Students and parents say student debt is more important than or equally important as the following issues:

• Unemployment (75% students, 58% parents)

• Health care (54% students, 43% parents)

• Gun control (60% students, 60% parents)

• Climate change (60% students, 68% parents)

• Immigration (66% students, 60% parents)

Will student debt affect the outcome of the 2016 presidential election? A student body of 21 million represents a powerful voice, even if only 38 percent of them vote (as in the 2012 presidential election). That's a voting contingent 8 million strong – a significant figure, given President Obama earned just 4.9 million more votes than Mitt Romney in the 2012 election.