With the Nov. 5 election just around the corner, voting has already started to take place in California, with mail-in ballots being dropped off at drop boxes and early voting being done at the polls. 

This year is a presidential election where voters can decide between the Republican candidate former President Donald Trump, the Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris, Green Party candidate Jill Stein and Libertarian Party candidate Chase Oliver. 

A group of voters that make up one-fifth of the electorate are a part of Generation Z (Gen Z), individuals born between 1997 and 2012. 41 million members of Gen Z are eligible to vote this year, with eight million newly eligible to vote. 

One Fresno State senior, Madeline Coller,  shared her voting experience with The Collegian.

“I have already voted and I think it’s very important because we are privileged enough to live in a country where we get to choose who we want to be our leaders and it’s really important that everyone gets to cast that vote and recognize the privilege that we hold,” said Coller.

According to The New York Times’ exit polls, 17% of Gen Z voted in the 2020 presidential election, which was the lowest turnout percentage among the other generations. 

Gen Z has an opportunity to make their voices heard in this election, according to Councilmember Mike Karbassi, who represents District 2 of Fresno.

“Voting would make a difference,” Karbassi said. “If a politician knew young people had a history of voting in higher numbers, they would target those groups.” 

Along with voting for a president, voters in California also have the chance to vote for a new senator, congressional leaders, state assembly and senate leaders, city council members and numerous propositions. 

Democratic candidate Adam Schiff and Republican candidate Steve Garvey are running for California’s open senate seat. Additionally, The Central Valley has two competitive House races. 

According to Lisa Bryant, chair of the political science program at Fresno State, the election is about much more than just the presidential race.

“The Central Valley has two very competitive House races that will likely come down to very small differences in votes, maybe even less than a 1% difference,” Bryant said. “Young voters can have an impact on the outcome of these elections.”

Not only do voters get to make their voice heard at the national level by deciding the president, but they get to have a voice in changes at the local and state level as well.

Research shows that baby boomers, who are between 59 and 77 years old, turn out in the highest numbers. 

“That is why you see politicians targeting those groups more when they talk about issues like Social Security,” Karbassi said. 

If voters from Gen Z turn out in higher numbers, there could be more attention paid to policy issues that are important to Gen Zers. 

Research from Tuft’s CIRCLE shows that issues like inflation and gas prices, abortion, climate change and the cost of living are among the top concerns of Gen Z voters. 

“Young voters likely have different policy preferences than older voters and offer a fresh, diverse perspective,” Bryant said.

At the state level, Gen Z has an opportunity to vote “yes” or “no” on ten propositions. These propositions include raising the minimum wage to $18, potentially borrowing $10 billion for public school construction and climate programs, criminal penalties, health care, taxes and the approval of at least three amendments to the state constitution. 

“Oftentimes when we vote for propositions, we don’t feel the effects immediately,” Karbassi said. “It is important for young voters to have a say early because later in life, you’ll be protected.” 

Gen Zers can have a significant impact on future elections if they vote consistently. 

“Voting is habit-forming. If people start voting young, they are more likely to become lifelong voters,” Bryant said. “They have the power to influence election outcomes in multiple ways because in close elections, every vote counts, and they have the numbers if they turn out.”

Students at Fresno State have already started voting by dropping their ballots off at the drop box or voting early at the polls.

Alyssa Deocampo, a business administration marketing major, has voted and believes that it is important to vote.

“I think it’s important that everyone votes because everyone has their own voice in this country and their own opinions,” Deocampo said.

Students can vote now and up until the end of Election Day at designated polling locations. 

The polls closest to campus are at the Save Mart Center and are open for early voting and drop offs on Nov. 2-4 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Nov. 5, the polls and drop-off boxes are open between 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

“It’s not going to hurt to vote,” Karbassi said. “You have nothing to lose by voting.”