Harris Campaign Targets Arizona to Energize Gen Z Voter Turnout

Following the recent Democratic National Convention, Vice President Kamala Harris is intensifying efforts to engage Generation Z voters. Her campaign targets 150 campuses across crucial battleground states, with Arizona prominently featured as its launchpad.

The kick-off event in Arizona is set for Wednesday, where U.S. Representative Maxwell Frost—the first Gen Z member of Congress—will join students at the University of Arizona in Tucson and later at Arizona State University in Tempe. “Young voters recognize the significant impact this election will have on their lives,” Frost stated. He emphasized the importance of mobilizing youth energy into actionable support for Democratic candidates in November, predicting record turnout.

Historically, young voters in Arizona have exhibited low voter turnout, but since 2018, that has changed dramatically. Over 25% of voters under 30 participated in that midterm election, a significant increase from previous years. In the 2020 election, youth turnout reached 51%, and the positive trend continued into 2022 with 25% of younger voters casting their ballots, reaffirming their political significance.

The shift in voting patterns is noteworthy. In 1998, young voters evenly split their support between Republicans and Democrats; however, by 2022, 63% of them backed Democratic candidates. The correlation between increased youth turnout and Democratic victories is increasingly evident in tight races, such as Katie Hobbs’ narrow gubernatorial win by just 17,000 votes in 2022.

Research indicates that Gen Z voters are more politically active compared to previous generations. A recent poll revealed that two-thirds of Gen Z Arizonans intend to vote in the upcoming election, suggesting a strong potential for higher participation among this demographic. Moreover, many of these young voters identify as independents, making them pivotal in ballot measures focusing on abortion rights and electoral reforms.

As political engagement rises, Harris’s candidacy has rekindled enthusiasm among younger voters, potentially altering the political landscape ahead of the elections. The Harris campaign collaborates with numerous youth organizing groups aiming to galvanize support for her candidacy and the Democratic platform.

Polling among younger voters shows Harris leading Trump by a significant margin in critical states. The campaign strategy includes on-campus advertising and social media outreach, featuring Harris communicating directly with students about pressing issues including gun violence prevention and reproductive rights. The initiative plans extensive grassroots organizing efforts in the weeks leading up to voter registration deadlines.