Everyday, it becomes increasingly evident that Generation Z is a powerful force in the political and social environment of our nation. The 2020 election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden further demonstrated the impact of young Americans, and Gen Z definitely made their voices heard. Many members voted, but those under the age of 18 found other ways to advocate for their chosen candidate despite limited political representation.
Compared to previous years, young voter turnout increased significantly in the 2020 election; 53-55% of registered 18-29-year-olds casted their ballots. Many of these voters - specifically those from 18 to 23 years old - are members of Gen-Z. In the 2016 presidential election, only 46.1 percent of those in the same age group voted; that year, the only members of Gen-Z who were eligible to vote were 18 and 19-year-olds. Young voters definitely contributed to the victory of presidential elect Joe Biden, with 65% of 18-24-year-olds voting blue.
A variety of causes could have contributed to the increased young voter turnout in the election between Trump and Biden. These include the coronavirus pandemic, since every American has been affected by it in numerous ways. Many members of Generation-Z have had to sacrifice portions of their high school and/or college years; the financial situations and career paths of many young adults have also been affected. Therefore, this global crisis led voters to choose the candidate who they believe will deal with the situation effectively, returning them to their normal lives as soon as it is safely possible.
Additionally, many Americans were motivated to vote by issues like climate change, gun violence, and systemic racism. Protests for the Black Lives Matter movement earlier this year brought many members of Generation Z to fight for racial justice, inspiring many to add voting to their list of ways to raise their voices and make a change. The increased division over the leadership of the nation in the past four years has also brought many previous non-voters to register and cast a ballot in this particular election.
Many younger members of this generation, who are below 18 and therefore unable to head to the polls, have found other ways to express their opinions and ideas about the current state of the nation. For instance, some turn to social media to encourage others to vote, support certain candidates or inform others about causes that are important to them. Without the ability to vote themselves, many members of Gen Z simply urge their friends and family to cast their ballots.
Others take their activism a step further by becoming actively involved in the politics of their communities, through actions such as holding drives, participating in organizations, joining protests, and supporting the campaigns of local representatives. East student Saanvi Bhatia, for example, frequently advocates for issues she believes in and emphasizes the importance of voting. For some insight into the perspective of not only a Gen Z member, but also a student from our school, we asked Saanvi some questions about her participation in our community and why election day is so important to her.
Without the ability to vote, how have you contributed to your community and made sure that your voice is heard?
I was both the Deputy Campaign Manager on a local state representative campaign, and I co-led a voter registration drive here at East! I found that one of the best ways to get involved in democracy is by volunteering for a candidate who has similar values. I found a candidate who I believed in, and worked throughout the summer for her, gaining an understanding of campaigns and the election process. I eventually became her Deputy Campaign Manager.
At East, I co-led digital voter registration drives this year and late last year with the aim that every eligible voter at East is able to vote. I can’t vote yet, so registering others my age and fortifying our democracy has allowed me to make sure the voices in my community, and thus my voice, is heard.
Prior to this election, why was encouraging others to vote so important to you?
A democracy functions best when all of its members participate. The easiest and most impactful way to participate is voting. However, some of our democratic systems are set up to make voting harder for individuals. For example, some states require voters to present a government-issued photo ID, which many American citizens lack, therefore barring them from voting. Voter suppression actively prevents an effective democracy.
The youth vote is especially important. Many issues legislators are deciding on right now have a heavy impact on youth lives, such as climate change. Eligible young people should be voting on these issues. However, far from every young person is. Encouraging others to vote is to better our democracy.
Also, many don’t realize that voting is not only voting for the president but also local candidates, such as state legislature and even school board. Having a voice in those elections, elections that are guaranteed to affect you, is vital.
What do you hope Gen-Z’s future will look like, as we grow up and gain more political representation?
I hope Gen Z continues this path of high political engagement and advocacy to better the lives of others. Much of the March for Our Lives movement, the Global Climate Strike, and the Black Lives Matter movement, to name a few, were organized by members of Gen-Z. I’ve seen so many empathetic, angry young people eager to move as a unit and change the aspects of the world they don’t like. I’ve seen so many members of Gen-Z eager to change the injustices that affect their peers. I hope that energy continues past the 2020 election and through our future, and I hope our descendants inherit a more equal world.
Sources:
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/18/the-2020-election-shows-gen-zs-voting-power-for-years-to-come.html
https://www.census.gov/newsroom/blogs/random-samplings/2017/05/voting_in_america.html
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