These four texts have clung to my memory ever since I received them in July, after the Supreme Court granted Donald Trump immunity for official acts:
“Tess, I legitimately do not care about politics.” “Politics is out of my control.“ “It divides more than brings together.” “Still not going to vote anyways.”
These reactions underscore how the majority of states are struggling to get youth to register to vote in the 2024 Presidential Election. Data from the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) proves that there are fewer 18- and 19-year-olds registered to vote now than in November 2020 in the 36 states they surveyed. Furthermore, only 53 percent of 18-29 year olds “definitely” plan on voting this November.
Many young voters — including those at the 5Cs — exhibit the phenomena of voter nihilism or disdain for both candidates. Young people disconnected from the real impact of policy and disillusioned with both Harris and Trump view not voting as an act of defiance and heroism.
Many youth are failing to recognize that they are abdicating their largest civic power by not voting. The magnitude of this election surpasses both the reasoning behind voter nihilism and the dislike towards both current candidates.
We as 5C students must put up a united front against Trump’s repugnant fascism and vote for the candidacy that will preserve our civil liberties and democracy: Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.
Even after a Gen-Z oriented revamp of the Harris campaign, complete with references to Charli XCX’s album “Brat” and fun Tik Tok videos flooding from the KamalaHQ social media platforms, young people continue to express hesitancy towards Harris. Gen Z strongly disapproves of the Biden administration’s policy toward Israel and Palestine, criticizing Harris for not condemning Israel as “bad actors” during her recent meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, DC.
Gen Z must understand that this Presidential election is unlike anything American history has ever seen. Harris seeks to protect our personal freedoms and uphold the Constitution, while Trump aims to instill an authoritarian system where he maintains control over the complete federal bureaucracy. This is just one part of the Republican Party’s ultra-conservative plan—Project 2025 — if Trump is elected.
42 percent of US adults are unaware of Project 2025 and its potential harmful impact. It seeks to cut key government services, eliminate the Department of Education, roll back environmental protections, restrict personal freedoms and jeopardize reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ protections. A Trump presidency promises stricter immigration policies, harms workers, weakens public health and undermines climate action, fostering inequality and insecurity. In contrast, Gen Z envisions a future where student debt isn’t crushing, reproductive choices are ours, basic living costs are affordable, the planet is healthy, schools are safe from gun violence and everyone has equal rights and legal protection.
Project 2025 and all that Trump stands for would demolish this future. Harris and Tim Walz have vowed to fight their hardest to make Gen Z’s desired future a reality.
Even if the Harris-Walz ticket does not match your vision of a perfect candidacy, it will get us closer to our ideal future. We should think of voting like public transportation: hop on, even if it doesn’t take you exactly where you want to go. Waiting for the perfect candidate is counterproductive; we must use our voices to push our parties in the direction we want to see.
We must acknowledge that Harris is a serious upgrade from Joe Biden, and we as Gen Z should be excited about this. She is eager to shape the future of the Democratic Party by charting a progressive course that distinguishes her from Biden’s stance on key issues – such as the economy – while appealing to a new generation of voters. Furthermore, Harris is building upon the work Biden has already achieved in youth organizing. This will entail doubling the youth organizing team nationwide, investing in fresh online advertising on campuses and social media and initiating a college tour in pivotal battleground states.
In regards to each candidate’s position on relations with Israel and Palestine, young people need to recognize the stark contrast between the two platforms. Harris was the first member of the executive office to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and is advocating for a two-state solution. As Vice President, she urged the Biden administration to be more considerate of Palestinian suffering . Conversely, Trump has callously demanded Israel to “finish the problem”. Since one candidate will win and assume the overarching power the President has over foreign policy, we should back Harris-Walz.
Voting as a college student can be challenging, but many online and in-person resources offer guidance based on state. Vote.gov provides clear steps for registered and unregistered college students, along with voter rights info. Student-led groups like Every Vote Counts also help new voters on most campuses.
At the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Michelle Obama urged action, asking the American people to do “something.” The best way to “do something” about the issues young people care about is to make a voting plan and rally behind Harris.
Tess McHugh PO ’25 is from Denver, CO. She loves watching Christopher Nolan movies, eating Thai food, and walking on the Kiawah Island Beach.
Facebook Comments