Voting for the first time can be an empowering next step toward adulthood for many Generation Z voters. This experience offers an opportunity to impact future generations, as Gen Z becomes a more significant voting group.
As Gen Z voters join their peers in casting their ballots for the upcoming election, their decisions on crucial issues, from gun violence to reproductive rights, can influence the outcome. I believe that this experience creates a sense of responsibility and hope, even for first-time voters, emphasizing how each vote adds to a bigger movement. According to the Pew Research Center, Gen Z is the most progressive generation in terms of social issues.
I’ve participated in this election as a first-time voter. It’s crucial for me to educate myself with proper information on the policies and stances I’m voting for. Being a first-time voter this election, it feels important and overwhelming, especially for those who are a part of Gen Z. There is a lot of pressure when making an informed decision in today’s divided political climate. With information being presented to us, both reliable and not, navigating it all can be challenging for those who have never voted before.
“Young people are ready yet again to make their voices heard.” Harvard Institute of Politics Director Setti Warren told to The Harvard Crimson.
As a first time voter, I have felt both excited and anxious about this election. Social media plays a huge role in this, often amplifying my anxiety with its constant stream of information and opinions. However, it also helps me stay informed and engaged with the issues that matter most to me.
Social media has played a crucial role in helping Gen Z first time voters stay informed, aware of critical issues, and updates on the current election. According to a study by the UCLA Center for Scholars & Storytellers, more than half of Gen Z primarily stays updated on news through social media platforms.
“Today’s young people are chronically online,” the study says, suggesting that our media consumption is influencing our political views and increasing the likelihood of young people voting.
I have found navigating the complexities of the election process challenging, but it has been empowering to know that when I placed my ballot to vote, I’m contributing to the future. Generation Z’s drive to vote for the 2024 election demonstrates the generation’s desire to shape the future by focusing on crucial topics such as climate change and the economic state of America. First-time voters join a movement ready to make a difference.
Half of all eligible Gen Z voters participated in the 2020 election, marking a significant increase compared to previous generations, according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE).
According to Harvard’s Youth Poll of Fall 2024, John Della Volpe, polling director at the Institute of Politics, “Gen Z and young millennials’ heightened enthusiasm signals a potentially decisive role for the youth vote in 2024.”
It’s important to recognize the impact Gen Z may have on this year’s election. Voters from Gen Z are not only more involved than in previous years, but we have been more outspoken about topics that will influence our nation in the future.