Gen Z Toolkit: Why your vote matters

Showing up at the polls isn’t just a box to check, it’s a powerful exercise in collective power.
A diverse group of people in line waiting to vote.

Voting is one of the most direct ways to participate in our democracy. By casting your vote, you’re expressing your values on the issues that matter most to you. 

As Gen Z continues to grow as a massive share of the electorate, their turnout sends a signal that cannot be easily ignored. When young people turn out to vote in large numbers, they influence who wins elections and help shift the conversation towards issues their generation cares about.

Young voters are a powerful voting block

Young people represent a large and growing share of eligible voters in the United States, and when young voters decide to participate, their votes carry real weight. 

Research from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University estimates that approximately 47% of Americans ages 18-29 cast a ballot in the 2024 presidential election — that’s millions of voices nationwide making themselves heard.

Why they’re going after the youth vote

A DEMOCRACY FOR ALL GENERATIONS

Youth and student organizing poses a real threat to authoritarians trying to concentrate power. Some of the most effective opposition and pro-democracy movements have been led by youth organizers.Young voters are more likely to be students living on campus or frequent movers. Stricter ID laws and changes to residency requirements specifically target the flexibility young people need to vote. This is by design — introducing confusing, restrictive, and constantly changing policies discourages young people from voting. And efforts to detain, intimidate, and arrest Gen Z activists, students, and young migrants are part of the same playbook.

Close elections show how every vote counts

While national elections tend to receive the most attention, many local races — such as school boards, city councils, and ballot initiatives — are decided by very small margins. Because turnout in local elections is often lower, even a relatively small group of young voters can tip competitive races in one direction or another.

Research analyzing U.S. election results show that hundreds of state-level races have been decided by fewer than 500 votes, and dozens have come down to fewer than 100 votes.

Real-world examples:

  • In 2026, the mayoral race in Boca Raton, Florida was decided by just 5 votes following a recount.
  • In 2018, the Democratic primary for Baltimore County Executive was decided by just 17 votes.
  • In 2016, a Vermont state House race was decided by a single vote out of more than 7,400 cast.

Legal disclaimer

This document includes links to resources created and maintained by a number of different sources. Protect Democracy does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any linked information, nor is the inclusion of any link intended to be an endorsement of any kind. This resource is not meant to, and does not, offer legal advice; nor should it be construed as legal advice on any specific facts or circumstances. The contents are intended for general information and educational purposes only, and should not be relied on as if it were advice about a particular fact situation. The distribution of this resource is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship with Protect Democracy. In order to protect your vote, please refer to your state election authority’s website for the most up-to-date information as voting laws are constantly changing. Protect Democracy last edited this toolkit on April 16, 2026.

Related Content