By: Fiona Pan '27 and Violet Monda '27
As the clock ticks to the election on November 5th, questions about what will most benefit the country as a whole flood through many people’s minds, and various worries and concerns appear regarding this colossal event. This year, the presidential election will select the 47th President of the United States. So far, it is an extremely narrow race; many sources, such as the Cincinnati News, show that Vice President Kamala Harris is about 2.7% ahead in the national polls. The polls show her with 48.1% of the vote and Former President Trump with 45.9%. This is Donald Trump's second time running for re-election after his four-year term in 2016. Their vice presidents are J.D. Vance, the Republican representative, and Tim Walz, the Democratic representative. This election is historic for many reasons, one being that Kamala Harris is the first woman of color running for president after previously making history by serving as vice president under Joe Biden’s administration.
During an election, it has been found that between 35 to 60 percent of eligible voters do not cast their ballots. They believe that “...one person's vote can't swing an election.” Yet, according to political scientist Robert Shapiro, “In close elections, every vote counts. Any subgroup of voters can have a decisive impact on the results.” He believes that not voting may offset progress. This year, around 41 million members of the Gen Z population will be eligible to vote, representing how their votes can change the path the election follows. This leads to one of the biggest questions during this election: why does Gen-Z representation matter to the entire voting population, and how will it help preserve American democracy?
In recent years, many studies have shown a decrease in younger generations participating in the electoral process. For example, Berkeley University found that “Gen Z had the lowest voter registration rates for any generational cohort.” The average percentage between those four years was below 40%, unlike the second lowest generation, millennials, who still averaged above these 40% markers. A democratic society means a civil obligation and the right to vote. Voter participation is essential for the functioning of a democratic society. If younger generations do not engage in the voting process, it may limit the government's ability to represent the diverse views and needs of the entire population.
Several teachers on campus were interviewed to investigate this question further. After being asked, "What do you think is the most important thing everyone in society should know before entering this election?” History teacher, Ms. Barry stated, “Especially for young people, to recognize that the system doesn’t function without people’s investment… In the process and a certain cultivation of civic-mindedness… you guys are the next generation.” As of January 2023, in the House of Representatives, there is one person, Maxwell Alejandro Frost, who just turned 26 and is the first Gen Z representation in Congress. Because these younger generations have little to no representation, not undermining the massive success of Frost, the younger voters don’t feel as though their voices have any weight, as more than 35% of eligible voters don't vote.
When discussing what might challenge Gen Z votes, math teacher, Dr. Arconian explained the idea of the Median Voter Theorem. She underscored the importance of recognizing that political parties often align their platforms with the preferences of the moderate electorate to secure critical swing votes. When emphasizing how it may be challenging to see representation, she said, “[The parties] pitch their campaign to those people in the middle, try to capture that middle ground, and then the young people's issues are not always at the top of the list of things that people talk about. So, that probably alienates young people.” It is important for representatives and candidates to reflect the demographics of their constituents, as this representation can enhance citizens' sense of inclusion and engagement in the political process. As Dr. Arconian said, when people don't see themselves represented, they feel alienated. This theorem is applicable to Gen Z in a contemporary context, especially evident in “young voters [believing] that fractured, dysfunctional government systems are incapable of addressing critical challenges that fall heavily on their generations.” Policies that don't entirely align with their beliefs can often lead to a reluctance to vote.
The next question is, how does the representation of Gen Z contribute to the cultivation and improvement of U.S. democracy? When the Constitution was created, the Founding Fathers intended for everyone to have the power to vote, as it is supposed to unite the republic. Democracy is the citizens' voice, making it intrinsic that people are using their right to vote to create the representation desired in the government. In the last couple of elections, voter registration has decreased considerably among the Gen Z and millennial generations, especially with the previous two presidencies having had older candidates. A woman interviewed by the New York Times argued, “How are you going to lead your country accurately if your mind is still stuck 50, 60, or 70 years ago?” Some younger voters doubt the ability of older leaders to unite the younger citizens. According to the New York Times, As Biden is one of the older presidents, “94% of democrats under 30 said they wanted another candidate to run…younger voters said they wouldn't vote for Mr. Biden or Mr. Trump in a hypothetical 2024 rematch.” While this is not entirely uncommon, the House and Senate are increasingly older, making it harder for younger voters to feel represented or find a reason to vote. They can't see mirrors in the government and choose to resist voting instead. Thus, without the contribution of Gen Z, there is an unbalanced government with opinions from older folk rather than those who are paving the way to the future. The absence of younger voters' voices can result in an unbalanced society. If 35% of young voters choose not to participate in elections, this lack of representation can skew the democratic process and the beliefs of the candidates. According to Ms. Barry, “There is a question about what the future of democracy is. [These] constitutional structures and principles are what [Gen Z] are voting on as well.” Here, she describes how there is more to a candidate than just policy; voting balances the government and the structures they choose to lead by. The decision to vote reflects an individual’s perspective on the government’s structure; voters choose officials who subsequently influence national policies and decisions. These elected representatives often share similar ideals and can implement actions that benefit society as a whole. By participating in elections, younger generations can express their desired policies and set precedents that align with their values within the government.
Voting for the representatives is the first step to contributing to the government. Those representatives are the ones who will fight for what the citizens believe in. As much as the representatives must advocate for the citizens, it is also a civic duty to ensure that voters are staying informed; Dr. Arconian articulates that “[Our] end is making sure that the checks and balances are clear if you follow up with your congressman or woman or your senator on the issues that matter to you, you can put pressure on them to do something about the things that you cared about.” So, the officials elected by Americans are working to make meaningful changes. The ability of voters to change the government is the checks and balances because the citizens regulate who gets power and how much. Although some believe that the voters have no say, they truly have more power than they think. There are over 244 million eligible voters in the U.S., representing a significant potential to influence election outcomes. The system of checks and balances guarantees that power is evenly distributed across the branches of government, preventing any one branch from becoming too dominant.
For the country's future, it is essential to understand the role of these new generations and the ones to come in society. And for those who can't vote, staying informed and focusing on everything one can do now is necessary to help make a difference. COBB Collaborative says that “[voters should] determine what issues they deem important and construct their own judgments.” These judgments are what would lead to a vote or sway in a certain direction that compels others to fight for those beliefs. In a time where social media heavily influences and affects everyday life, anything that people see or believe has hundreds of different details and opinions attached to it. Additionally, when Ms. Barry was asked how to focus on facts rather than fiction in an election, she responded, “I think fact-checkers are important right now, and then you can move between different sources. So, don't only read The New York Times, but it's also interesting to look at the headlines to see The Times versus, say, Fox News versus Washington Post and wonder, ‘What is their bias? What is the agenda?’” Asking oneself these questions takes an inquiry approach, focusing on the information and also on where it came from. Considering these different aspects is significant in the voting process because every article will have an underlying bias. The important part is recognizing it.
The concern over whether a single vote can make a difference in a large population continues to linger in the minds of many Americans, leading some to disengage in the democratic process because they are unable to see how their vote contributes to the overall outcome. Without transparency about how each vote is counted, people may question whether their time and effort were impactful. This may lead to a society lacking in diversity of thought and representation. Recognizing that values shape societal actions may motivate individuals to vote for candidates or policies that reflect their beliefs. As history and politics teacher, Newsome expressed, “[his] hope is that the country can become unified after the election” - a goal that relies on active civic engagement from all citizens.
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