Can Gen Z Save the Midterms for Democrats?
With the 2018 Election season underway, it is important to look at the potential impact of Gen Z, the newest generation of American voters. The question of whether this generation has the potential to change the outcome of the upcoming midterm elections has been a subject of much discussion and debate. To understand the possibility of Gen Z swinging the election, it is important to first examine their propensity to vote, historical political trends among their age group, and their political ideology.
Who is Gen Z?
Gen Z, also commonly referred to as “Post-Millennials,” are born between the late 1990s and early 2010s and constitute America’s largest, most diverse and most tech-connected generation. As of 2018, the generation accounts for around 25.9 percent of the United States population, according to the Pew Research Center. This makes Gen Z the single largest-aged voting bloc for the upcoming midterm elections, which will surely be a factor for both parties come November.
Why Gen Z are Driving the Conversation?
Gen Z have widely been credited with impacting a variety of social issues from gun control to immigration, but their political power remains untested. Having grown up in the wake of the Great Recession, this generation is accustomed to economic uncertainty and more aware of America’s widening inequality gap. As a result, they are much more likely to engage in the political landscape and are more likely to lean left than previous generations. This is further demonstrated by the fact that Gen Z largely drove the youth turnout during the 2016 Presidential Election, increasing their share of the youth vote compared to the two previous elections.
Their Ideology and Voting Behaviour
A 2018 survey by the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics found that 68% of the 18-to-29-year-old voters identified as being Democrats or Democratic-leaning. This indicates that Gen Z is largely politically aligned with the Democratic Party in the upcoming elections. As for voting behavior, young people still have some of the lowest rates of voter turnout when compared to other age groups.
However, recent research by Tufts University and Harvard’s Institute of Politics showed that young voters are more mobilized to vote than in past midterms. For the first time, Gen Z has surpassed millennials as the largest voting bloc for the upcoming election and this is largely due to the social media and technology use among this web-savvy generation.
What Issues are Important to Gen Z?
When it comes to political beliefs and values, Gen Z is largely similar to the millennial generation in its support for liberal policies. The Pew Research Center notes that this generation is strikingly more progressive on social issues compared to all other generations. On the issue of climate change, Gen Z largely favors government regulation to address the more pressing environmental threats.
Additionally, the Harvard IOP poll found that Gen Z is generally more fiscally conservative than other younger age groups. The survey noted that this generation is more likely to support government spending reductions and the use of economic sanctions against foreign leaders than other groups.
Can Gen Z Save the Midterms for Democrats?
It is clear that Gen Z has the potential to affect the outcome of the midterm elections in November. With the increased political engagement among this generation, and a majority of these voters leaning Democratic, there is certainly potential for this to translate into meaningful gains for the party.
However, challenges remain when it comes to mobilizing young voters. Gen Z is largely uninspired by traditional political campaigns and may be more engaged by alternative methods, such as social media or peer to peer outreach – making for an uphill battle for both parties.
The outcome of the upcoming midterm elections remains uncertain and largely dependent on numerous variables. But with their share of the population, eagerness to use their political power, and progressive leanings, Gen Z could indeed make all the difference come November. Ultimately, the responsibility lies both on political parties to implement empowering campaigns and with Gen Z to participate as they make their voices heard this election season.
