With Election Day just four days away, many across the United States have already, or are getting ready, to cast their vote for the 2024 Presidential Election. However, this marks an election where a vast amount of those who fall in Generation Z (1997-2012) can voice their concerns for the first time at the ballot box, but some are still too young to have an impact through the voting system. I asked twelve fellow Gen-Zers, across the spectrum, where they stand this election season*. Here are their answers.
Let's start with the key issues of this Election.
What do you feel is most important to you?
Out of the twelve (12) participants, the following was concluded:
Four (4) indicated 'Reproductive Rights' as their most important issue.
Two (2) indicated 'Domestic Issues', like the 'preservation of Democracy', as their most important issue.
Two (2) indicated 'Foreign Policy' as their most important issue.
One (1) person for each of the categories below indicated it as their most important issue:
- LGBTQ+ Rights
- Economy
- Immigration
The Key Issues: Ideology
Reproductive Rights
Out of the four (4) participants who indicated their most important issue was 'Reproductive Rights', the following was concluded:
Two (2) indicated they lean left, out of those:
- One (1) is 'Progressive Left'.
One (1) indicated they lean center.
- They claim to 'lean left'
One (1) indicated they lean right.
- They identify as a 'Republican'
Domestic Policy & Issues
Out of the three (3) participants who indicated their most important issue was 'Domestic Policy and Issues', the following was concluded:
Two (2) indicated they lean left, out of those:
- One (1) is 'Progressive Left'.
One (1) indicated they lean center.
- They claim to 'lean left'
Foreign Policy
Out of the two (2) participants who indicated their most important issue was 'Foreign Policy', the following was concluded:
One (1) indicated they are a true center, or independent.
One (1) indicated they lean right, or identify as a 'Republican'.
Immigration
Out of the one (1) participant who indicated their most important issue was 'Immigration', the following was concluded:
One (1) indicated they lean right, or identify as a 'Republican'.
The Economy
Out of the one (1) participants who indicated their most important issue was 'The Economy ', the following was concluded:
One (1) indicated they lean center.
- They claim to 'lean left'
LGBTQ+ Rights
Out of the one (1) participants who indicated their most important issue was 'The Economy ', the following was concluded:
One (1) indicated they lean left, specifically 'Progressive Left'
The Key Issues: Gender
Reproductive Rights
Out of the four (4) participants who indicated their most important issue was 'Reproductive Rights', the following was concluded:
Three (3) identify as Female and a Woman.
One (1) identifies as Male and a Man.
Domestic Policy & Issues
Out of the three (3) participants who indicated their most important issue was 'Domestic Policy and Issues', the following was concluded:
Two (2) identify as Male and a Man.
One (1) identifies as Female and a Woman.
Foreign Policy
Out of the two (2) participants who indicated their most important issue was 'Foreign Policy', the following was concluded:
One (1) identifies as Male and a Man.
One (1) identifies as Female and a Woman.
Immigration
Out of the one (1) participant who indicated their most important issue was 'Immigration', the following was concluded:
One (1) identifies as Female and a Woman.
The Economy
Out of the one (1) participant who indicated their most important issue was 'The Economy', the following was concluded:
One (1) identifies as Female and a Woman.
LGBTQ+ Rights
Out of the one (1) participant who indicated their most important issue was 'LGBTQ+ Rights', the following was concluded:
One (1) identifies as Male and a Man.
Notes on The Key Issues
"The economy is a close-second issue for me."
- 17-year-old High School Senior from California, Republican
"My second would be LGBTQ+ Rights."
- 20-year-old College Junior from New Jersey, Progressive Left
The Pick for President
Who would, or are, you voting for this November?
Out of the twelve (12) participants, the following was concluded:
Ten (10) indicated they would vote for the Democratic Ticket of Harris/Walz.
One (1) indicated they would vote for the Republican Ticket of Trump/Vance.
One (1) indicated they would vote for the Republican Ticket of Stein/Ware.
Candidate Specific: Harris/Walz
Let's look deeper into who plans to vote for the Democratic ticket, and their reasons why.
Can you vote yet?
Out of the ten (10) participants who indicated their preference was Harris/Walz, the following was concluded:
Four (4) are registered and will vote for Harris/Walz this election.
Six (6) will not be voting. Out of them, the following was noted:
- Three (3) are unregistered & under 18.
- Two (2) are registered & under 18.
- One (1) can not vote in this election.
None indicated that they were not planning to vote in this election out of personal choice.
What do you identify as?
Out of the ten (10) participants who indicated their preference was Harris/Walz, the following was concluded:
Five (5) identify as Female and a Woman.
Five (5) identify as Male and a Man.
What is your Political Ideology?
Out of the ten (10) participants who indicated their preference was Harris/Walz, the following was concluded:
Five (5) indicated they lean left, out of those:
- Three (3) are 'Progressive Left'.
- Two (2) are 'Left'.
Three (3) indicated they lean center, out of those:
- All claimed to 'lean left'
Two (2) indicated they lean right, out of those:
- Both identify as a 'Republican'
Why do you choose Harris/Walz for President?
It should be noted only eight (8) of the ten (10) offered additional reasoning.
"Although I’m not a fan of Harris on several issues, I would much rather have her be voted in than Trump."
- 17-year-old High School Senior from New York, Progressive Left
"I support Kamala Harris because she has spent her whole life working for us and is ready to lead. As President, I am confident she lead America into the future and will be a new kind of President. Ideologically, she is not far left and will govern from the center. And when you look at the opposition, the choice is just so easy. Donald Trump is against everything America stands for. He represents the worst of America. He is trying so hard to divide us, whether is it saying that Kamala Harris is “for they/them,” or saying that Haitians are eating dogs and cats. But, an election is about so much more than just Donald Trump vs. Kamala Harris, it is about what America stands for. The America I grew up in is one where we all look out for each other, one where anybody, no matter their background, has an equal chance, and one where we never lose sight of what America stands for. The choice couldn’t be more clear for me, I believe in the promise of America and I know that Kamala Harris will move us forward. America, now it’s your choice. Will you turn the page?"
- 15-year-old High School Sophomore from Oregon, Center- Leans Left
"Although the economy was undeniably better under the Trump Administration, I'm not certain that American democracy can survive another Trump term. Very hesitantly, I would
vote for Harris—more as a vote against Trump than a vote for Harris herself. With the selection of Tim Walz as her running mate, I am more inclined towards Harris' campaign, especially considering Walz's foreign policy is a breath of fresh air. Harris was far from my first choice, but I feel that a vote for Trump would hasten the transformation of the Republican Party of Reagan into an echo chamber, borderline cult of personality for Trump."
- 17-year-old High School Senior from California, Republican
" I plan to vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz for 3 specific reasons. The first is Reproductive rights. I truly believe that Donald Trump is responsible for the overturning of Roe, and has single-handedly contributed to the unsafe conditions for women across America. I want my right to my body restored, and Harris/Walz has plans to do so. The second is LGBTQ+ Rights. As a lesbian, I fear that my right to marriage will be taken away under another Donald Trump administration. I believe if Trump gets the ability to appoint more ultra-conservative, partisan Supreme Court justices, my right to love who I love and have protection under the law for discrimination against me will be taken away. Harris has a long, recorded record of being supportive of LGBTQ+ Rights since she began her political career, and I appreciate her stance on protecting the human rights of those who identify as a part of the community. The last reason is her plans for the economy. I believe she will add less to our country's debt, will genuinely support young people trying to buy a home with her incentives, and will continue to work to stop price gouging on goods and medicine. The tariffs that Trump has suggested would destroy our economy, sending us into a recession and only raising the cost of goods for the average American citizen. Although I have those reasons to vote for her, I can not fail to mention my utter disdain for the genocidal conditions in Gaza at the hands of the Biden administration's continuous arming of Israel despite numerous human rights violations and war crimes from the country. I will be voting for her, but I reserve the right to push for action on an arms embargo if she is elected."
- 20-year-old College Junior from New Jersey, Progressive Left
"If I could vote, I would vote for Harris and Walz (Democratic Ticket) because their stance on reproductive rights is concurrent with my belief that women should have full control over their bodies without government interference. In a society as advanced as ours, the last thing we should be doing is having to explain again and again, why we need women to be in full control of their bodies- and these candidates get that. Their immigration policies also resonate with me; they advocate for reforms that keep families together and provide fair opportunities for those seeking a better life, which as an immigrant is incredibly important to me. Additionally, their focus on strengthening the middle class through better wages, healthcare, and education shows their genuine commitment to uplifting all Americans and creating a more just and equitable society. Overall, they have a very strong sense of what needs to be done, and their commitment towards policies and government is the perfect blend to keep our country safe."
- 18-year-old College Freshman from North Carolina, Center - Leans Left
"I call myself a conservative, but If I were able to vote in this election, I would be voting for Kamala Harris. Yes, I don't believe in one of her policies, but at the end of the day, leadership is the most important ability that a president must have in order to successfully lead our nation. If I were to vote for Trump, I believe a majority of the policies that I care about would be addressed (abortion, immigration, the economy, drug crisis, crime, etc.), but our country would continue to fall into a pit of lies and conspiracies. I want a president who respects the rule of law and our election system. I seek a president who supports truth and doesn't promote conspiracy theories. Although I disagree with Kamala Harris and all of her policies, I am prepared to move on from the world of Trump and return back to when we had real leaders of character in the White House."
- 17-year-old High School Senior from New Jersey, Republican
"Right now my choice is to vote for the Harris-Walz ticket, but the Democratic Party is not my first choice. The atrocities being committed worldwide right now are being directly supported by the incumbent Democrats and will continue to do so. However, I am also not a single-issue voter, and I have other concerns. Trump will run this economy into the ground again, strip abortion rights from each state, and Project 2025 will be put into motion immediately. I am voting for Kamala Harris because I don’t think there’s any better option."
- 19-year-old College Sophomore from New York, Center- Leans Left
"I would vote for Harris/Walz because the leader of a country directly correlates to where that country’s society stands. If we elect a 34x convicted felon with sexual assault charges, that is not a good look! It will also set a precedent around the country for young men to believe they can get away with anything. However, if Kamala Harris is elected, it will show our advanced society in which we believe a woman can hold the most important office in the world. This will set a precedent for young women to believe they can truly do anything and finally feel the equality that has been praised our whole lives."
- 16-year-old High School Junior from Pennsylvania, Left
Candidate Specific: Trump/Vance
Let's look deeper into who plans to vote for the Republican ticket, and their reasons why.
Can you vote yet?
Out of the one (1) participant who indicated their preference was Trump/Vance:
They indicated they are registered and will be voting for Trump/Vance this election.
What do you identify as?
Out of the one (1) participant who indicated their preference was Trump/Vance, the following was concluded:
They identify as Female and a Woman.
What is your Political Ideology?
Out of the one (1) participant who indicated their preference was Trump/Vance, the following was concluded:
They indicated they lean right, or identify as a 'Republican'.
Why do you choose Trump/Vance for President?
"I’m voting for Donald Trump and JD Vance because he is the best option for the country. I support his efforts to reduce illegal immigration, and he has shown that he is capable of keeping a tight border based on the statistics of his last term versus the Biden-Harris administration. I support his ideas on foreign policy and agree that the U.S. should not be as involved in foreign conflicts. I also cannot support a party that did not correctly elect a candidate for their party."
- 21-year-old College Senior from Florida, Republican
Candidate Specific: Stein/Ware
Let's look deeper into who plans to vote for the Green Party, and their reasons why.
Can you vote yet?
Out of the one (1) participant who indicated their preference was Stein/Ware:
They indicated they can not vote.
What do you identify as?
Out of the one (1) participant who indicated their preference was Stein/Ware, the following was concluded:
They identify as Female and a Woman.
What is your Political Ideology?
Out of the one (1) participant who indicated their preference was Stein/Ware, the following was concluded:
They indicated they are a true center, or independent.
Why would you choose Stein/Ware for President?
"I would vote for Jill Stein because the ticket unapologetically challenges the neoliberal and imperialist agendas that perpetuate global suffering, including the Palestinian genocide. Their unwavering commitment to human rights puts justice over profit, opposing U.S. military aid to oppressive regimes and standing against illegal occupations. In an age where corporate interests dominate politics, Stein advocates for a Green New Deal that prioritizes both environmental sustainability and economic equity, offering a radical departure from the status quo. Their refusal to cater to corporate donors means their policies are built around people, not power. They are bold enough to call out the crimes of the American empire, pushing for accountability for war crimes, systemic racism, and the erosion of civil liberties. This is not just a vote for change—it's a vote for global justice and the restoration of humanity."
- 19-year-old Non-US Citizen from Pakistan, Center
Any Additional Comments on this Election?
"I’ll preface this response with the statement that I’m really against the status quo of voting in the U.S. I believe the two-party system is not indicative of most citizens’ genuine beliefs, and it only serves to stifle progress. With that being said, while the system remains as is, it is important to vote for candidates who are more likely to be receptive to the change you want to enact. As a democratic socialist, I most want to see progressive change, and I also know that under a second Trump administration, the avenues to achieve this change would be (maybe even permanently) blocked. The fact that the progressive candidates are not on the ballot in all 50 states makes it impossible for them to get elected."
- 17-year-old High School Senior from New York, Progressive Left
"Vance's sudden pivot from being a never-Trumper to Trump's running mate is clearly indicative of his power-hungry character."
- 17-year-old High School Senior from California, Republican
"If I may add, the importance of a vote for Stein goes beyond a political statement—it’s a reckoning with the deeply entrenched systems of oppression, a moral stance against a world order that profits off war, exploitation, and environmental degradation. Their platform represents a paradigm shift, where global justice, peace, and sustainable coexistence aren't just ideals but the bedrock of policy. As for your question—what I’d say is this: voting in itself is an act of agency, but in the context of systemic failure, it becomes an ethical responsibility. It’s not just about supporting a candidate, but about endorsing a vision for the future—one that challenges the power structures that have shaped our world and demands radical reform. Stein offers this not through the lens of partisan compromise, but with a commitment to dismantling oppressive systems and restoring power to those historically silenced."
- 19-year-old Non-US Citizen from Pakistan, Center
& that was where some of Gen-Z Stands.
However, where do you stand in this election?
Make sure you have a plan in place to vote by or on November 5th to ensure your voice is heard loud and clear this election cycle. There are many ways to ensure your ballot is cast: Mail-ins, Early voting, Absentee Ballots, and In-person on Election Day. Don't let your future be determined by those who have less invested in the future of this country than you, the youth. The time to take action is now.
*Only basic identifiers have been used for data purposes, Identities are kept anonymous out of respect for those interviewed. The views expressed are of those expressing them, and not a representation of The Opinionated as a nonprofit. Interviews were done through a form format.
Kommentare