Examining the predictors of “Gen Z” college student intentions to vote & engage in politics

Understanding the characteristics that predict variation in political participation is of critical importance in this age of high social and political polarization in the United States. This has been an area of long-standing interest for many decades; however, with the emergence of a new generation (“Gen Z”), it is important to understand how they compare to previous generations in relation to civic and political participation. In the 2024 general election, Gen Z youth represented approximately 40 million eligible voters, amounting to one fifth of the American electorate. Thus, this age group holds enormous potential political and social power. This paper reports findings from an original survey of students at a mid-sized private university in the Northeastern US conducted in September 2024. It explores what factors predict variation in the likelihood that Gen Z college students will vote and engage in the political process. It finds that the most significant factors include perceptions of political engagement and party affiliation.