By Peter Finaldi
The 2024 election has been upended with the withdrawal of President Joe Biden’s campaign for re-election. With Kamala Harris now the Democratic nominee, voter enthusiasm has surged, party donations have reached historic highs, and the polls have completely flipped allowing the Democratic ticket to make up critical ground in a matter of weeks. Much of this momentum would not exist without young people’s support for the Harris-Walz campaign; Harris leads Trump by more than 30 points in some surveys among adults aged 18 to 34. Let’s look at why young people like me are rallying behind Harris and why so many more should.
Making Life Easier
If you’re under the age of 30 like me you’re likely struggling with rent, groceries, and student loan payments. Owning a house or starting a family might seem completely untenable for a cost perspective.
But a Harris administration would address these issues directly. The Vice President proposes tackling the homeownership gap by building three million new housing units over four years under the Federal Housing Administration. Additionally, first-time homebuyers will be able to receive a $25,000 down payment to make the cost even more affordable. Harris also promised to combat predatory landlords by limiting private investors from buying up property to keep housing affordable for more Americans.
Nor does the Harris policy agenda ignore the needs of families. Under her Harris administration, the financial burden of childcare would be greatly reduced, as she proposed a $6,000 child tax credit during the first year of a child’s life. Additionally, the $3,600 child tax credit for every child in a family household, which was implemented during the pandemic, would be restored. These proposals are unsurprisingly popular among young people struggling with basic expenses, or those thinking of purchasing homes or starting a family.
Protecting Our Rights and Freedoms
As reiterated throughout the Democratic National Convention, the right to reproductive care should be protected, especially after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Harris has repeatedly stressed the importance of the right to choose even before she began campaigning for the presidency. In many Republican-controlled states, people lack the necessary reproductive care that could save them from dangerous health situations such as miscarriages or nonviable pregnancies. But a Harris administration in the Oval Office would ensure Roe v. Wade is codified into national law, giving everyone the freedom to choose. This issue is of prime importance to people under 30; more than 70 percent of us support the right to choose according to one poll.
Another key issue for young people is the freedom for everyone to live as they are and love who they love. Under a Trump administration, the LGBTQ+ community would be threatened with having their liberties and freedoms taken away. Project 2025 puts this vulnerable community at very great risk. Young people are far more open to LGBTQ+ relationships than their older counterparts, so this threat strikes a personal chord with many of us. We don’t want to see our friends and family be forced back into the closet. With Harris in the White House, we won’t be going back.
Positive Vibes over Fear
Many young people are prone to being victims of ‘doomscrolling’, the online phenomenon where people keep scrolling through negative news stories on their social media feeds. I find myself doomscrolling more often than I would like to admit. This creates a sense of dread or ‘doom’ for social media users, especially surrounding the election cycle.
With constant media coverage over President Biden’s age and apparent decline, we were less enthusiastic about Biden and our energy was low. We were getting ourselves ready for what seemed to be an inevitable defeat and a Trump presidency. When Kamala Harris entered the race, that energy came soaring back, giving Harris a dominating lead over young voters.
Media pundits are calling this race the “vibes election”. In contrast to the Trump campaign’s negativity and weirdness, Harris presents a more hopeful and optimistic perspective on the future. She and her running mate Walz show us that we can have a future that doesn’t strike us with fear and anxiety.
With the Harris campaign embracing the Charli XCX “Brat” meme, it’s clear that the campaign understands the value of young voters. Having an engaged online presence that embraces memes is one thing, but speaking to our needs and addressing our concerns is another. Thankfully, the Harris campaign sees the importance of doing both and is striking a great balance online. If you want to learn more about Harris’s stances on the issues, you can read them at length on her website here!
Of course, engagement and enthusiasm will only mean so much unless we translate this into action and actual votes come election day. What matters most is harnessing all this energy and enthusiasm to ensure young voters turn out in droves for Kamala Harris. We know she’s the best choice for our generation, and for all Americans. It’s up to us to ensure she’s elected president.