Youth Political Participation
Amid sensationalized social media coverage carrying Harris’s campaign and vocalized concerns from Gen-Z, it’s tempting to believe this impassioned engagement will translate to votes come November. But let’s be clear: they won’t – unless young voters show up at the polls.
Gen-Z voters have strong concerns over abortion rights, the climate crisis, the economy, the ongoing Israel-Hamas War and a lack of trust in institutions. Pivotal issues like these drive youth political enthusiasm.
Regardless of that energy, youth voter turnout is historically low. Only 51% of youth ages 18-24 voted in the 2020 election, and only 47% of Californians of the same age voted.
“Young people vote at the lowest rate of any demographic group in America,” said Miramonte AP Comparative Government teacher Jackson Avery. “As a result, the politicians we elect are less receptive to the needs of young voters and do not reflect their beliefs as much as older Americans.”
However, all hope is not lost. Recent enthusiasm among Gen-Z, particularly in response to Biden’s dropping out of the race and Harris’s subsequent campaign and pivotal issues endorsed by either party’s ticket, suggest that this demographic is engaged in the 2024 election.
With 41 million Gen-Z individuals eligible to vote, eight million newly eligible in the upcoming election, and 57% of youth ages 18-34 claiming they are “extremely likely” to vote in the election per Tufts Tisch College’s 2024 Youth Poll, there is extreme potential for increased youth voter turnout.
Orinda high school seniors newly eligible to vote have a job to do this fall. Per California legislation, high school seniors are required to take a semester-long government course, aiming to provide civics education. They can do their part by staying engaged in this course and educating themselves about the issues and the election process.
Charley Matthews, a junior at Miramonte, founded Centerpoint, a non-partisan club promoting political conversation with the goal of achieving common ground without fear of judgment, is encouraging Orinda residents to vote by giving out over 1,000 voter registration cards.
“We believe that people shouldn’t take the ability to vote for granted,” said Matthews. “Despite the fact that most club members aren’t yet registered to vote, we place a high emphasis on upholding democracy. All our members are pre-registered to vote and are excited to go to the ballot centers for the 2028 election.”
Whether youth voters maintain fastened opinions on national policy and global affairs reflected by the top of the ticket, local and state propositions will most likely affect their everyday lives.
“Local officials, state representatives and propositions are central to life in California, and those races often come down to a few hundred votes,” said Avery. “This year we have propositions on issues like housing, education and the minimum wage that are crucial to life in California, and those votes will most likely be close.”
Youth voters can look at both parties’ campaign websites and read non-partisan news outlets to learn about matters that are important to them in the upcoming election. Curious Gen-Z voters should also ask questions and engage in discourse.
Miramonte students can attend Centerpoint meetings and engage in productive political discussions this fall.
“If everyone asks, ‘does my vote matter?’ then there would be no votes,” said Matthews. “All votes matter because they accumulate to one final outcome.”
