Millions more Gen Zers are eligible to vote in the 2024 presidential election compared to 2020, and they’re being vocal about what they want to see candidates address on the campaign trail. Gen Zers have a wide range of political opinions and identifications, but there are definite themes emerging for this socially-conscious generation. Many Gen Zers want to see major changes to current policy on issues such as climate change and reproductive freedom, but aren’t hopeful the current presidential candidates will actually follow through.
Many Gen Zers are dissatisfied with both frontrunners for the 2024 election — current President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, leading some young voters to choose not to vote at all. The youth vote is what helped Biden win in 2020, but since then, the number of people between ages 18 and 29 planning to vote has decreased by 8%, according to a Harvard Kennedy School poll. Some younger voters are turning to independent candidates instead.Â
According to a December 2023 Her Campus survey, 66% of Gen Zers say reproductive rights is one of the top three issues for them in the 2024 election. This is followed by gun violence prevention, a top issue for 55% of respondents, and climate change, a top issue for 38%. For 37% of those surveyed, healthcare and education and student debt are some of the most important issues. Additionally, 87% of respondents say social justice is important to their voting decisions.Â
To dig deeper into the most important issues for Gen Z, Her Campus interviewed members of its 2024 election focus group, which includes over two dozen college students from across the political spectrum, along with other Gen Zers across the country. These young voters have a lot to share about the critical issues that will shape the way they vote. Here are their responses.Â
The following responses have been edited and condensed for clarity.
“For myself, I’m personally concerned most about reproductive rights. And while I’m disappointed Democrats missed the opportunity to codify Roe like they promised, I’m still going to vote for the people who believe in my right to my body. I really want to see candidates promise that they are going to pass federal protections for abortion, IVF, and contraception. I’m also concerned about the health of our country in general. I want to see movements towards a promise for more universal health care and protections for Americans against medical inflation.” – Gretchen, Leftist/Democratic PartyÂ
“As a second generation American, as time progresses, so should our immigration system. I have seen firsthand how difficult and time-consuming the process is to become a green cardholder and/or U.S. citizen. I have seen families that have applied and it took YEARS and money to hear a response back. I would love to hear the ideas of how to make the system more efficient and time-saving. The second issue [for me] would be gun violence prevention. I do respect those who want to bear arms for their safety, but there needs to be better regulations and assessments for those who want to purchase a gun. I would like to see the government officials and the upcoming candidates talk about implementing some types of regulations as well as a medical checkup to make sure the holder is mentally well, and won’t use the gun for any violence, grudge, and/or public shootings. The third issue would be health care. Universal health care is a way of stepping into the future, and would help many families and people in the country to not worry about going to the hospital and racking up so many bills. I would like to hear how we can turn the health care system around and become a country that prioritizes its citizens.” – Nathali Guevara-Reyes, Democrat
“The genocide in Gaza is the most important issue for me in the upcoming election. It is deeply upsetting to me that my taxes fund Israel’s military crusade against the Palestinian people. To me, there is no greater single issue.” – Sophie S., LeftistÂ
“The issues that I want the election candidates to address are the issues regarding inflation, the current job market and economy, and student loans. Prices on goods and services here in America have gotten too high since the COVID-19 pandemic, and it seems that the government and business leaders of well-known corporations are still raising the prices higher. Prices are high on food, gas, rent, cable/internet services, etc. People can’t afford to spend money on themselves just for fun anymore, like going to a restaurant, going on vacation, buying a nice car, buying a house, getting a spa facial, even adopting animals for a pet because they are too worried about the bare needs taking a chunk of their money out of their paycheck. When it comes to student loans, I know that nothing is free and you have to pay for everything, even an education. However, the price of student loans could be reduced at least to where people are not spending 10+ years of their lives trying to pay them off.” – Vivian Gilbert, Independent Democrat
“My No. 1 issue is the continued funding by our government of the Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip, despite many documented human rights abuses including massive civilian casualties and the blocking of humanitarian aid. Any presidential candidate that wants to earn my vote this election cycle must call for an immediate ceasefire and an ending of aid to Israel. I am also alarmed by the backsliding of reproductive rights in this country and would like presidential candidates to take a firm stand to protect abortion access, IVF, and contraception. I would also like to see presidential candidates condemning anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, especially after the death of Nex Benedict following a transphobic beating the Indigenous two-spirit teen faced on school grounds.” – Amanda M., Democrat
“The two most important issues for me are the environmental crisis and the protection of reproductive rights. As a woman who studies the environment, I am close to both of these issues. I believe that women should be allowed to do what they want with their body, and the fact that conservatives are coming after women’s bodily autonomy makes me scared of the future. I want to live in a world where women can choose what they want — no matter what they choose — and the government supports that right. In addition, I do not think that environmental issues are at the forefront of political issues whatsoever in America, and as someone in Gen Z who is studying the climate crisis, I think the focus needs to shift to this issue. Many of the politicians in power now are older, and they will not feel the impacts of climate change, but I will. My friends will. Should I decide to have children, they will too. We need to help people in our country, like the Navajo nation and those in Flint, Michigan, get access to clean water. We need to focus on how to adapt to the severe wildfires of the west and the hurricanes in the east. We need to secure the environmental future of America by moving away from fossil fuels and investing in renewable energy and green infrastructure.” – Anonymous, liberal-leaningÂ
“One of the most important issues on the ballot for me is environmental concerns. It’s super important to me that the president thinks global warming is real and is going to actively work towards helping to repair damages, moving towards clean energy, etc. Another important issue to me is reproductive rights, specifically protecting reproductive rights. With everything that’s been going on in Alabama, and with the overturning of Roe v. Wade, I would be more inclined to vote for a candidate who makes promises to pass national legislation that will protect reproductive rights. On the campaign trail and in debates, I am sure foreign affairs will come up in regards to both Israel-Palestine and Russia-Ukraine. I would want to hear a candidate offer support for Palestine, but realistically, if one of the candidates could provide a plan to enact a ceasefire, that would make me want to vote for them more.” – Sally Wolff, DemocratÂ
Gen Z is ready for their voices to be heard this presidential election. The biggest issues for Gen Z may vary, but one thing is clear: the political landscape of the U.S. will shift as more of this young generation casts their ballots. America’s political system is at a critical juncture, and the 2024 election is bound to put Gen Z’s dissatisfaction on full display.Â