By Kyle Arjoonsingh
On July 21, President Joe Biden announced that he would not seek reelection and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. Harris made history as the first woman of Black American and South Asian descent to lead a major party ticket. Her nomination has energized Gen Z voters across the country, including many at Adelphi University, where the upcoming election will mark the first presidential vote for many students.
For Gen Z, representation is a critical issue. This generation, more than any before it, is incredibly socially aware. They have grown up in a world where sensitive issues such as race, gender and identity are front and center in national discourse. Harris, as a woman of color with a multicultural background, embodies the values of inclusion that resonate deeply with the younger generation.
According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, more than 40 million members of Gen Z will be eligible to vote in the upcoming election, making up almost 20% of the electorate.
Jocelyn Herrera, a junior psychology major at Adelphi who will be voting for the first time in the upcoming presidential election on Nov. 5, is among them.
“I've always felt that my vote didn't matter much, but now, with Kamala Harris being the nominee, I feel like there's a real chance for change,” Herrera said. “Her nomination makes me feel like my voice and experiences as a person of color are finally being acknowledged.”
Harris’s campaign has capitalized on this enthusiasm, with numerous rallies and social media posts targeting younger voters. Her campaign has enlisted the support of many pop culture icons that connect with younger generations, from Charli XCX to Megan Thee Stallion.
“There was no doubt that Harris resonated with younger voters,” said Maggie Gray, associate professor of political science. “Harris had the advantage of a short campaign, fueled by excitement and energy. This energy, especially in social media, caught the attention of Gen Z.”
“I think social media is a powerful tool, and she has certainly utilized it to garner the support of other young voters,” said Sara Held, a second-year political science major at Adelphi, who will also be casting her first vote in this upcoming election.
Following the Sept. 10 presidential debate between Harris and former president Donald Trump, the vice president received a notable endorsement from Taylor Swift, who announced to her nearly 300 million Instagram followers that she would be voting for Harris in the upcoming election. Her Instagram post resulted in a surge of more than 400,000 visits to vote.gov within 24 hours and saw an increase in voter registrations by nearly 30,000.
The following day, during MTV’s 2024 Video Music Awards, she reinforced her message by urging viewers to register to vote. While accepting the award for “Video of the Year,” she said, “If you are over 18, please register to vote for something else that’s very important, the presidential election.”
This endorsement is particularly significant given Swift’s influence on this current generation. Swift’s widespread appeal and her ability to engage young voters is crucial to the election process.
“I think it is very inspiring that celebrities are becoming more open with their political beliefs,” Herrera said. “It humanizes them.”
The energy and engagement of younger voters are set to be pivotal in the 2024 presidential election, with Harris's candidacy catalyzing their increased participation. On campus, initiatives like Adelphi Votes are working to boost voter education and turnout among students.
As Gen Z embraces the opportunity to have their voices heard, their involvement is transforming the political landscape. With young voters poised to make a substantial impact, the upcoming election promises to be a defining moment in American politics.
The deadline to register to vote in New York is Oct. 26, and if you’re an out-of-state student and may need to do so earlier. Visit vote.gov for more information.
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