Why the Gen Z Vote is Make or Break for Team Harris
Oct 10, 2024
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Expert John Della Volpe, Director of polling at Harvard Kennedy School and author of "Fight," discusses the pivotal role of Gen Z in the upcoming election. He reveals how recent societal events shape their political engagement and highlights their concerns about reproductive rights, healthcare, and foreign policy. Della Volpe also examines the growing influence of celebrity endorsements, like Taylor Swift’s, on voter registration. Amid increasing barriers to voting, he outlines strategies needed to mobilize this crucial demographic for a more engaged electorate.
Gen Z's unique experiences and values make them a crucial voting bloc, with potential to significantly influence the 2024 election outcomes.
The rise of celebrity endorsements and social media engagement highlights a shift in how political messages are communicated to young voters.
Deep dives
The Unique Voting Block of Gen Z
Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, represents approximately 70 million young Americans who have a distinct perspective shaped by unprecedented events such as the Great Recession and school shootings. This generation lacks memories of significant historical events like 9/11 and is characterized by their commitment to addressing systemic challenges through voting. Since entering adulthood, they have consistently shown remarkable voter turnout, participating at levels nearly double those of previous generations at the same age. Their impact in pivotal elections, including the 2020 election where they helped flip key states, underscores their importance as a voting bloc.
Polling Challenges Among Young Voters
Polling data often underrepresents young voters, particularly those aged 18 to 29, as many surveys fail to accurately reflect their registration numbers which have seen significant increases. Previous elections have shown young voters making up around 16-17% of the electorate, yet recent surveys report lower figures, potentially skewing results. Enthusiasm for voting has grown, especially among Democrats, while Republican interest has decreased. This discrepancy in representation raises concerns about polling accuracy and the true level of support for candidates among younger demographics.
The Volatility of Gen Z Voting Trends
Gen Z exhibits volatility in their voting patterns, as seen during the primaries in 2020 when many young supporters of Bernie Sanders chose not to participate due to candidate overwhelm. This generation's engagement in subsequent elections is contingent on their perception of political efficacy and whether they believe their vote can lead to tangible change. There's also an emerging gender gap among young voters, with an increasing number of young men supporting Republican candidates, suggesting potential shifts in party affiliation. To maintain their support, politicians must continuously engage with their attitudes and values.
Influence of Celebrity Endorsements on Youth Voters
Celebrity endorsements have gained prominence in this election cycle, with stars like Taylor Swift driving significant spikes in voter registration. While there's historical precedent for celebrities influencing political engagement, the effects appear even more pronounced today due to the immediacy of social media. These endorsements often resonate more with young voters than traditional political messaging, leading to greater turnout via community representation. Additionally, Republican strategies have evolved, utilizing a broader array of influencers to appeal to younger demographics, indicating a shift in how political messages are communicated.
Could the 2024 election be decided by Gen Z voters? The Harris campaign seems to think so. With so much effort placed on turning out young voters, expert John Della Volpe joins Riley Fessler and Minnah Stein to explain what makes this group the key to victory in November.