Find out the essential issues that are mobilizing young voters to the polls nationwide.
This essay is part of a Women & Democracy multimedia package focused on Gen Z and student voters. The future envisioned by young leaders is bright—it’s built on reproductive rights, bodily autonomy, sustainability, freedom from violence and economic opportunity. Explore essays, a brand-new podcast, videos and more from some of your most loved (or soon to be!) influencers and writers, brought to you by Ms., DoSomething, the nonprofit that helps make volunteerism “cool,” and The Anthem Awards, the social impact arm of The Webbys.
In an increasingly fragmented landscape, young people are adamantly fighting for the world they want. Gen Z is known for channeling personal passions into social and environmental causes, holding a high standard for taking care of our people and the earth.
Young people are not devoting themselves to specific politicians or parties, opting to rally behind issues directly impacting their lives and futures. With voters aged 18-34 constituting nearly one-fifth of the American electorate, they’re already shaping the future of the nation’s democracy. The issues they support—chief among them, climate change—reflect a priority to protect the civil liberties and world they’re inheriting.
Climate Change
Climate change stands out as the principal issue for young people, with 59 percent of U.S. adults under 30 expressing concern about the longevity of our planet.
In addition to climate change, there are two critical issues that threaten our environment: biodiversity loss and pollution. Collectively known as the triple planetary crisis, young people understand internationally coordinated efforts as the way out.
Youth are championing not just awareness but also concrete solutions, advocating for conservation efforts and the rights of vulnerable groups, including Indigenous communities who are often marginalized in decision-making processes. This generation is not waiting for permission; they are taking action, promoting lifestyle changes and demanding systemic reforms to mitigate pollution and overconsumption.
Reproductive Rights
In the wake of shifting reproductive rights, young people are making their voices heard. Polls indicate that 44 percent of those aged 18-26 disagree with the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. And among the total top percentile of issues young people care about, reproductive rights and bodily autonomy proved to be the top.
As a Ms. analysis of the Harvard Youth Poll noted, “Inflation won every time—except when paired with women’s reproductive rights, where it was considered the more important issue: 57 percent to 43 percent.”
This issue isn’t just about choice; it’s tied to broader concerns about mental health, bodily autonomy and liberty, healthcare access, and economic stability. The implications of restrictive abortion laws influence where young people decide to study, live and work, emphasizing the importance of fighting for reproductive rights in their advocacy.
Economic Realities
How can I think about voting about abortion when I can’t afford rent?
While environmental issues and abortion rights dominate discussions, young people are also concerned about economic stability. A staggering 53 percent of respondents identified inflation as a top issue, with many struggling to meet basic needs amid rising prices.
Young voices echo the sentiments of a generation grappling with student loan debt and the unaffordability of housing and healthcare. As one person poignantly expressed in a focus group run by The Harvard Gazette, “How can I think about voting about abortion when I can’t afford rent?”
It’s intersectional. This intertwining of social and economic issues reveals a critical truth: young people’s overall well-being and safety largely depend on their financial standing. Activists are frustrated with the lack of systemic action addressing this lapse in basic needs in many parts of the U.S.
Foreign Policy
Young voters are also increasingly vocal about foreign policy, emphasizing the need for a more collaborative approach to global challenges and more regulated U.S. involvement.
A significant majority supports measures to address these concerns, and when it comes to complex international conflicts, young Americans favor dialogue and ceasefires over military intervention. This perspective is reflective of a generation that values diplomacy and humanitarianism, seeking to bridge divides rather than deepen them.
A survey by the Pew Research Center reported that 56 percent of young people say “preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction” should be one of the top three foreign policy priorities for the country. A move away from previous generations, Gen Z is headstrong about taking a less exceptionalistic attitude toward diplomacy.
It’s evident young people are not just passive observers; they are active participants, driven by passion and purpose. Their engagement with key issues signals a shift towards a more informed and active electorate. By rallying around causes that matter, young people are not only shaping their own futures but also redefining the landscape of civic engagement.
Empowering young women *and* young men is essential to restoring U.S. democracy. If you agree, sign up for our daily or weekly emails to hear from (and join!) the multigenerational feminists building the future. Or go back to the essay collection.
