In the upcoming 2024 election, high school students across the country are gearing up to participate in the democratic process like never before. From organizing voter registration drives to engaging in political discussions, these young individuals are determined to make their voices heard and enact meaningful change. According to Pew Research Center, Gen Z voters have been extremely active in the few elections they have been able to participate in thus far, and many high school students are registering to vote for the 2024 election across the country. 28.4% of ages 18-24 cast a ballot in 2022, which is an increase from 23% of Millennials who voted in 2006, and 23.5% of Gen Xers who voted in 1990. Additionally, many important issues to teenagers are on the ballot in November, further driving them to participate in elections. While on a larger national scale these trends seem to be consistent, Seven Hills Students felt the same urge to participate in the 2024 elections.
In a poll of 60 Seven Hills students who are 18 or will be 18 by the time of the election, 76.7% of students said they have already registered or will register to vote before the 2024 election. Additionally, 72.4% of respondents said they were planning to vote in the Presidential election, while fewer (60%) said they were likely to vote in smaller local and statewide elections as well. This trend has been seen in the past among voters for several reasons. When I asked around the student body, many students said they felt that they didn’t feel educated enough on the candidates or issues on the ballot for smaller elections. Some also felt the elections didn’t matter as much and thus were not worth voting in. However, the majority of students described voting to be a “civic duty” to citizens of the United States and agreed that not voting damages the nation. “I think it’s important that everyone votes,” said junior Ryan Brackett. “It’s our civic duty and it’s one of the few ways for our voices to be heard.”
The poll also found that 60% of students thought Seven Hills had done a good job preparing them to be active participants in the United States political climate. Many students credited the civic engagement days or classes they had taken that discussed the importance of being an active citizen and voter. Amongst students who felt the school had not prepared them, many said they actually appreciated that Seven Hills was staying out of the political sphere, allowing students to make decisions for themselves. “I like that the school doesn’t take a side on political issues and lets students decide what’s best for themselves,” junior Billy Good said. Around half of interviewed students felt as if the Seven Hills teachers do not take a partisan stand in their teaching, while the other half felt that Seven Hills pushes a rather progressive agenda on their students, a trend that is seen nationally as well.
Seven Hills Students seem to be consistent with the rest of Gen Z voters in the sense that they view the 2024 election as an important event to participate in. As November approaches, it is safe to assume that many students will be registering to vote in both the presidential and smaller elections. The election also brought up many questions amongst students about how it would impact their futures, careers, and further education.
