VOTE411's Guide to Voting Like a Gen Z-er

She's informed about the issues, from climate change to abortion rights to the ethical implications of returning to low-rise jeans.

She believes politicians should tell the people exactly where they stand, both through detailed responses to candidate guides and through thoughtful Letterboxd reviews.

She wants to know who's funding political candidates. She knows her polling location. 

She's a Scorpio.

VOTE411.org, our one-stop-shop for election information, turns 18 on October 27, 2024. That means if we choose to personify her — and clearly, we do — she's a Gen Z-er of voting age. Let's call her Vote-ronica, because, sure. 

All this to say, Vote-ronica's got some advice for you about making your voice heard this November in a very demure and mindful way.

Stand Strong for Your Causes (& Vote for Candidates Who Do, too!)

Research suggests that Gen Z is the most likely generation to boycott a product, company, country, or state because of an ethical stance; only one in five Gen Z-ers would work for a company that doesn’t share their values, and 70% of Gen Z-ers are involved in at least one social or political cause. 

So when you cast your ballot, Vote-ronica wants you to know exactly where your candidates stand on the issues that matter to you. That way, no one can accuse you of being delulu.

Do you know where your candidates stand on the economy, health care, education, and the issues you care about? VOTE411's candidate guides allow you to compare their stances side by side. Have your candidates not responded yet? Let them know they need to!

Live, Work, and Vote the Way that Works for You

Gen Z has developed a reputation for valuing schedules that meet their needs — and why shouldn't they? Every person has unique needs and demands on their time. When our hobbies, jobs, or other activities allow us the flexibility to maintain our quality of life, everyone wins.

The same can be said for civic participation. There are tons of reasons why flexibility in when and how you cast your vote matters, from work hours to accessibility needs.

Early and absentee voting are two ways to vote on a schedule and in a way that fits your needs. Vote-ronica recommends voting early to avoid long lines. But if you do find yourself in a line, you can always pull up TikTok to pass the time.

Understand the Assignment with College Voting

Did you know Gen Z has the highest rate of college attendance compared to recent generations?

For those attending colleges and universities, rules around voting while out of state, living in a dorm, etc. can be confusing. But Vote-ronica doesn't let that stand in her way, and neither should you!

College Voter Guide

Get the answers to all your questions about voting as a student with this blog.

Influence and Empower: Put Elections on the Grid

Gen Z grew up in the digital world, which includes social media. This led to the rise of the "influencer," i.e. a public figure (typically on social media) who inspires or guides others through their content.

Often, we talk about influencers in terms of their impact on our choices as consumers. But influencers can also promote ideas or beliefs, like the power of voting or the importance of women's rights.

And one of the powers of social media is that anyone can be an influencer and a trusted voice in their community. Any one of us can harness Instagram or TikTok to share our voting stories and inspire others to do the same.

So when you do prepare to cast your vote, dress up in your favorite bubble skirt, overalls, or even (shudder) low-waisted jeans, laminate your brows, go full Sabrina Carpenter with your blush creme, and post about your experience. Maybe you'll make an ASMR video about why voting matters to you, or post a pic of yourself dropping off your ballot, or even share what issues are inspiring you to vote with VOTE411's new Snapchat filter. 

Regardless, take the opportunity to show your community that voting matters — and if you want to turn that opportunity into a fit check, we won't stop you.

Be the Person to Empower Your Community

Gen Z-ers are community builders.

Roberta Katz, author of "Gen Z Explained: The Art of Living in the Digital Age," describes the average Gen Z-er as someone who "deeply cares about others, strives for a diverse community, [and] is highly collaborative and social." Whether online or in the streets, they fight for (and alongside) others.

Becoming a poll worker is one way to engage and empower your community around voting.

Become a Poll Worker

The democratic process depends on election workers to keep the polls running efficiently and accessibly. Yet many parts of the country are facing poll worker shortages that can threaten both voter turnout and confidence. 

Now's the perfect time to get involved. Ensure that voting runs smoothly in your community by becoming a poll worker!

In honor of VOTE411's 18th birthday, we hope you'll use this blog as inspo in the run-up to Election Day. But no matter how you get involved, we'll always stan a civically engaged King or Queen.

From us and Vote-ronica: happy voting!