Before this month, I was certain that Gen Z and young millennial participation would drop this election cycle.
Although our age group played a huge role in electing President Joe Biden, there was a huge enthusiasm issue with his reelection campaign. Since Biden dropped out and Vice President Kamala Harris took over as the presumptive Democratic nominee, there has been an energy shift. I've seen it among both the political class and the young voters who helped deliver Biden the presidency.
I have never seen anything like the momentum around the Harris campaign. This energy was not there for Biden in 2020 or for Hillary Clinton in 2016. If it lasts, it could propel Harris to the presidency.
For that to happen, she needs to listen to the young people supporting her – and it seems like she realizes that. Last week, 17 youth organizations endorsed Harris to be the next president of the United States.
One of the organizations, Voters of Tomorrow, held a summit this past weekend in Atlanta. Harris spoke to the crowd in a prerecorded message.
“In this election, we know young voters will be key, and we know your vote cannot be taken for granted,” Harris said. “It must be earned, and that is exactly what we will do.”
It’s not just that she needs to have Generation Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, on her side – she needs their enthusiasm to reach voters of all ages.
Surveys taken after the president dropped his reelection campaign on July 21 and endorsed his vice president are........