Gen Z could make an election impact — if they trust the system enough to vote
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
New Orleans politicians and grassroots organizations tell Axios they are working to bring Gen Z voters to the polls, but face a deep sense of distrust from them.
Why it matters: If mobilized, they could make a difference in local elections.
- Louisiana Secretary of State data shows that nearly a quarter of voters in Orleans Parish were between the ages of 18 and 34 (which includes some millennials) as of Sept. 1.
Zoom in: Organizations like Pumps to the Polls aim to get students to the voting booths.
- "We see a lot of Gen Z that have a lack of trust, not just in the actual candidates, but also in the democratic process," says founder Sherie Thomas, whose organization also seeks to make voting easier by providing transportation.
By the numbers: Younger Americans are wary of big institutions, which may be affecting how they show up to the polls, data shows.
- A 2023 Gallup study found that half of Gen Z had "very little" trust in Congress and 46% felt the same about the presidency.
What they're saying: New Orleans native and Loyola student Em Bay, 21, says Gen Z's local political participation reflects that distrust.
- "So many young people don't care about local politics. A lot of us just put trust in federal elections instead of the campaigns that really matter," says Bay, who's determined to vote this October. "It's not fair to complain about our government without trying to make any difference."
The bottom line: "I wish people felt like the state of Louisiana wanted them to vote, like voting was accessible," says Ashley Shelton from the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, a voting advocacy organization. "Yes, the system is broken, but not voting isn't going to fix it."
By Cecilia Calderín, Loyola Pack News
This story is part of a special project with Loyola University mass communication students exploring Gen Z's thoughts on the New Orleans mayoral race.