The rise in youth voter turnout is a clear signal that young people are not waiting for tomorrow to lead — they’re starting now.
Half of registered 18-to-29-year-olds voted in the 2020 presidential election, a 28-percent increase from 2016. For America’s young voters, more participation means more power to impact elections.
As the Student Voter Empowerment Clubs (SVEC) program manager at March to the Polls (MTTP), I’ve had the privilege of helping young people understand the voting process and exercise their rights. That work has given me a front-row seat to the creation of a more inclusive and engaged democracy.
“Gen Z” – born between 1997 and 2012 – is unique in American history. Raised with the internet, this generation is more socially and environmentally conscious than its predecessors, and its politics tend to reflect that. Coming of age in a world marked by rapid technological advancements with immediate access to all major social, political, and cultural movements has profoundly shaped their perspectives and, by extension, their political engagement.
Historically, young people have voted in lower numbers than their elders. In the early 2000s, voter turnout among 18-24-year-olds often hovered around 40% or lower, according to the United States Census Bureau. The low turnout could be attributed to insufficient access to resources and education essential for engaging effectively in the voting process, erroneously interpreted as apathy and disillusionment with politics.
The tide began to turn in the late 2010s. The 2018 midterm elections saw the highest youth midterm voter turnout in over 25 years. That trend accelerated in the 2020 presidential election. The rise of digital platforms and social media has revolutionized how young people engage with politics, making information more accessible and facilitating mobilization around causes Gen Z cares about.
Organizations like MTTP and our Student Voter Empowerment Clubs (SVEC) have also played a crucial role in this upward trajectory. By providing young people with the tools and information to navigate the voting process, we’ve helped demystify voting and made it more accessible. Our efforts, along with those of other voter engagement and education initiatives, have empowered thousands of young people to become regular participants in our democracy.
Early engagement can foster a lifelong habit of civic participation. Young voters who are actively involved in elections are more likely to continue voting in the future and participate in other civic activities, such as volunteering and community organizing. This engagement strengthens the foundations of democracy by ensuring a committed and informed electorate.
The strength of our democracy depends on the participation of its citizens. Higher turnout among young voters signals a healthy engagement with the democratic process and a commitment to shaping the country’s future. It also counterbalances political apathy and cynicism, reinforcing the idea that every vote matters.
This newfound youth engagement is not just a fleeting moment but a testament to young voters’ potential to shape our country’s future. The energy and passion of Gen Z, coupled with their increasing turnout rates, suggests that they will be a formidable force in shaping policy and political discourse for years to come.