In 2024, there were over 40 million potential Generation Z voters. Many young people have been feeling the unrest and instability associated with a significant election firsthand. At Richard Montgomery High School, voting seniors have strong opinions on what issues matter most to them and what they had hoped to see reflected in improved policy after last year’s election.
Every election heavily impacts the trajectory of the country, and the 2024 presidential election was no exception, especially in a political climate that is progressively becoming more polarized.
“With just how the election year has been going, I just see it as important,” voting senior Jordan Johnson said.
Divisive topics such as the nation’s economy, the cost of living, healthcare, and abortion rights all were thought to contribute toward a surge in citizens’ desire to actualize a sustainable future with well-intentioned leaders, however, that was not the case.
There was a decrease in young voters by almost 10% since the 2020 election. However, the rate remained constant in most battleground states.
If it is so important for youth to vote, why aren’t they? There are numerous factors.
“They can’t be bothered to do it,” said voting senior Brian Nguyen, “They’re too lazy.”
Registering to vote is also a significant part of the process and might prepare the youth to become more politically aware. Students who are sixteen years old and older can register to vote in the state of Maryland, and it is likely that students who register will turn out at polling places or at least sustain an adequate political knowledge.
Although simple, this a key factor in the low youth turnout. Registering to vote the first time is a more difficult process than simply voting again. In 2022, 21% of non-registered youth said they didn’t register simply because they didn’t know how.
Voting can become habitual for the older population, but starting a habit is significantly more work. Young adults also tend to have less flexible work schedules, as they are either still being educated or have just joined the workforce. The extra hurdles the youth must go through to vote are just enough to discourage people from trying. However, the issue of registering isn’t the only factor.
“They think their opinion won’t be heard. They just already have a bad mindset, and they believe that nothing can be done,” Johnson said.
Politicians try to solve this problem by reaching out to young adults and reminding them how important their votes are. Youth who were contacted by a political party or organization were 29 points more likely to vote. Yet, only a little over 50% of youth voters were actually contacted. If more outreach was done, it is certainly possible that more youth would vote.
However, caring deeply about a political issue can motivate people to vote. However the issues that the younger generation cares about vary.
“Probably right now, just basic human rights, like abortion,” said Johnson, “and then, of course, the environment, [and] making sure the President has a focus on bettering the country.”
“I would like student loan forgiveness for college,” said Nguyen, reflecting a common concern among the youth entering college.
While some young people are fortunate enough to find voting accessible and encouraged in their area, there are many eligible students who cannot access voting opportunities. According to another study conducted by CIRCLE in 2024, 42 percent of those surveyed did not feel “qualified enough” to vote.
