President Joe Biden is Worthy of the Gen Z Vote, and Here’s Why

There is a growing concern amongst younger voters regarding President Joe Biden’s performance on issues that directly affect their generation. There is, however, a ray of hope. Many have expressed a substantial degree of dissatisfaction with his administration’s perceived failure to prioritize progressive policies within the context of various crises.

This perception has led to a sense of disillusionment among the Gen Z voting block. Some youthful voters remain open to reconsidering their support for re-electing President Biden for president in 2024 if his administration can demonstrate a willingness to take actions that are more decisive on the concerns that matter to their age demographic.

Some Gen Z voters are critical of both President Biden and former President Donald Trump for the perception that they give of being “too old.” This belief signaled a desire for more modern perspectives and leadership from more “youthful candidates.”

Environmental Policies and Concerns

They believe that younger candidates may better understand and address their generation’s contemporary issues, i.e., climate change, student loan debt, and social injustice. Their stronger resonance with these critical matters positions younger political candidates to garner more support from Gen Z voters since they are seeking more innovative approaches and solutions to current challenges. 

A poll from the nonpartisan independent research organization CIRCLE recently revealed a shift in priorities toward thoughts of the economy, reflecting the rising concerns of younger voters on national problems like climate change and healthcare. This shift has further underscored a growing anxiety about important facets of America, like job opportunities, wages, and financial stability among young people.

To address these concerns, the Biden administration has recently announced the additional allocation of federal funding for training programs related to non-degree clean energy jobs. This additional federal funding reflects the Biden administration’s commitment to promoting job growth in the clean energy sector. 

Importance of Higher Education for Gen Z

The initiatives being put forward by the Biden administration aim to cultivate a skilled workforce capable of driving sustainable economic growth while still addressing climate change. Under the Biden administration’s leadership, significant progress has been made.

This has placed the Biden administration in the position of becoming global leaders in environmental stewardship. After rejoining the Paris Agreement in 2021, and investing more heavily in renewable energy, the administration has demonstrated a proactive stance in the ongoing battle with climate change. 

“The Paris Agreement works on a five-year cycle of increasingly ambitious climate action carried out by countries,” the United Nations reported. “Every five years, each country is expected to submit an updated national climate action plan, known as the Nationally Determined Contribution, or NDC.”

Addressing Gun Violence

There have also been efforts by the Biden administration to prevent further instances of gun violence, with Vice President Kamala Harris spearheading the efforts. Vice President Harris is focusing her efforts on engaging a more significant percentage of young people since Gen Z has dealt with the ramifications of lenient gun policies.

“Guns are now the leading cause of death for American youth ages 24 and under, and the collective psyche of Gen Z has been reshaped as a result,” The Guardian reported in October 2023. Understanding this, Vice President Harris is working on implementing additional screening measures like background checks and violence prevention programs, all to decrease the instances of gun violence in the country.

Despite these efforts, reaching out to young people presents challenges due to their level of skepticism about the overall effectiveness of political leaders. Vice President Harris remains committed to bridging this gap and ensuring that the voices and perspectives of the youth are heard. Earlier this year, President Biden introduced 13 new actions that are aimed at the reduction of gun violence and placed emphasis on his administration’s efforts to address this pervasive problem while still upholding Second Amendment rights.

President Biden has commended the bipartisan efforts to prevent the illegal purchasing of firearms by individuals under the age of 21. His actions reinforce the administration’s dedication to the promotion of responsible gun ownership as well as enhancing public safety. 

Reducing Student Loan Debt

Additionally, President Biden recently canceled more than $1.2 billion in student loan debt for borrowers who had been previously defrauded, demonstrating his continued commitment to correcting the injustices within the student loan system and promoting an increased sense of fairness. Recent surveys have revealed that most Gen Z places substantial importance on attaining a college education despite the challenges experienced, like rising tuition costs and student loan debts. It is important to note that the growing burden of student loan debt on Gen Z poses increased challenges, and delays important milestones like home ownership and starting a family. 

Efforts to Restore Reproductive Rights

In tandem with the abovementioned challenges, the Biden-Harris Administration continues efforts to advocate for increased reproductive freedom, further defending the reproductive rights of women and expanding access to essential healthcare services.

After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade in 2022, many young women of childbearing age were mobilized to protest against the ruling shortly after it was announced. In March 2022, a survey found that 72% of Americans between the ages of 18-29, believed abortion should remain legalized in all or most cases. Additionally, CIRCLE recently found that almost 20% of adults aged between 18-34 believed in expanding access to abortion.

These stances have inspired the Biden administration’s dedication to pushing the needle further toward instances of equity and autonomy within healthcare. President Biden is diligently working to ensure that all individuals can access necessary reproductive services should they be needed.

It is important to note that these measures, combined with collaborative initiatives, enable the administration to address the more pressing issues affecting young people and promote a more inclusive future for all.