The 2024 election is right around the corner and it’s certainly going to be an interesting one. The Democratic and Republican parties are more divided than ever and American citizens are divided right alongside their parties, but that’s not the only difference coming to this November’s election.
This year there will be a new wave of Generation Z (Gen Z) voters taking the polls by storm. Gen Z is known for always speaking up for what they believe in and not following in the footsteps of previous generations. Gen Z is also known for being more liberal than previous generations like the Millennials or Generation X.
Social studies teacher Susan Theotokatos commented,, “I think it really depends on where you’re growing up. Your community environment, your family environment, and your own personal identity.”
A big difference between Gen Z voters and the people older than them is where they get their information. It’s no secret that Gen Z is engrossed in the world of technology and in turn, spends lots of time on social media.
Government teacher Thomas Kuhn said, “If social media stays the prominent source of media then it’s (the election) is going to be more based on personality.”
Social media, according to Kuhn, can’t get into the details of the policies of candidates so if people keep getting their information from social media, they will likely be voting off personality.
It’s true that Gen Z gets lots of information from social media; however, it’s not the only place they get it from. Senior Samantha Jaffe said she gets her information from big newspapers and news stations.
This election is going to have voters spanning across five generations and that makes it easy to wonder does it actually matter for young people to vote? Will the votes of Gen Z actually impact the election in any way?
Jaffe stated, “ I do feel it’s very important to vote. I think it’s one of the easiest ways to impact our democracy.”
But it’s not just young people who think it’s important for Gen Z to vote. Both Kuhn and Theotokatos agree that it’s important for Gen Z to vote but also for teachers to encourage their students of age to vote.
Kuhn said, “It’s why we do what we do…so there’s a purpose to what their studying”
