Uncertainty Reigns for Young Voters

By Isabella Crow and Alex Raposo

In the wake of the recent Presidential primaries, Gen Z democrats have expressed “dissatisfaction,” “concern,” “worry,” and, most overwhelmingly, a lack of confidence in the apparent frontrunner of the Democratic party. Notably, however, they have not been turning out in electoral support of the progressive candidate, either, which begs the question: what will get young people to the polls, if it’s not electability, and it’s not idealism?

This feeling of confusion has been permeating the political atmosphere, especially since the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), recently declared pandemic by the WHO. It remains too early to tell if coronavirus will ultimately eclipse the election season entirely or whether, at this crucial turning point, it will unify the party into a decisive faction by November.