2024 Election: Gen Z Latinx Voters Caught in a Dilemma Between Trump and Harris

With the 2024 election approaching, Gen Z Latinx voters are expressing significant ambivalence towards candidates Trump and Harris, primarily due to immigration issues and a lack of trust in their policies. As many in this demographic contemplate not voting, their discontent reflects broader trends of engagement through protest rather than traditional electoral means, highlighting the complexities surrounding their political preferences.

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, many Gen Z voters within the Latinx community express significant uncertainty regarding their political choices. The inaugural piece in ABC7’s series “The Z Vote” highlights this demographic’s feelings towards the candidates, particularly focusing on their apprehensions surrounding immigration policy. Alina Andino, a 26-year-old Latinx voter, articulates her frustration, stating, “We can fix your houses; you can have our tacos. But the people that live in Mexico, or say, Puerto Rico, you know, can’t come here safely without a bunch of hate.” While expressing her intention to participate in the voting process, Andino admits that she has contemplated abstaining from voting altogether, a sentiment echoed by many of her peers. According to Sylvia Puente, President of the Latino Policy Forum, there is a growing trend among youth who are increasingly engaged in protest activism rather than traditional electoral politics, resulting in lower voter registration rates among Latinx Gen Z individuals. Perla Santoyo, another member of Generation Z, conveys her frustration regarding the electoral engagement of her age group: “It feels infuriating, honestly, to constantly trying to prove a point to Gen Zers who don’t want to vote in this election.” Santoyo, who has long awaited citizenship, turns her focus to motivating her peers, expressing the potential impact young voters could have on the election. The distrust towards the candidates emerges particularly in relation to their immigration stances. Many young Latinx voters are skeptical of Vice President Kamala Harris’ ability to navigate U.S. citizenship complexities, while former President Donald Trump’s policies raise fears of mass deportation. For instance, Rolando Herrejon, another voter, critically reflects on Harris’s responses, stating, “What would be the point of having somebody come into presidency and change nothing?” In contrast, Herrejon indicates that he is directed toward supporting Trump primarily for economic reasons. However, Andino perceives Harris as the “lesser evil,” acknowledging her outreach efforts to the Latino community, which includes advertisements in Spanish. She concludes with a poignant statement about the significance of women in leadership, asserting, “Women run the world. And I always tell people, like, if women weren’t popping out babies, none of us would be here even having this conversation.” Amidst these complex views, it is evident that Gen Z Latinx voters are grappling with their choices as the election draws nearer, illustrating the larger implications of immigration policy on their confidence in candidates and overall voter engagement.

The significance of the 2024 election is underscored by the growing voice of Generation Z voters, particularly within the Latinx community. This demographic is notably critical of the established political landscape, often expressing disappointment in traditional candidates. The concerns are particularly pronounced regarding immigration policy, wherein many young voters feel either marginalized or uncertain about the potential for effective change. This disillusionment is compounded by low registration rates among Gen Z Latinos, raising questions about electoral participation and the representation of their interests in the political arena.

In summary, Generation Z Latinx voters are experiencing a crisis of confidence regarding their electoral choices for the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Their concerns largely center around immigration policies and the perceived inadequacies of both major candidates. As they navigate their political identities, the willingness to engage in electoral processes remains uncertain, suggesting a need for candidates to address the specific concerns of this influential demographic to foster greater participation.

Original Source: abc7chicago.com