We as a nation constantly hear about Generation Z being the future of politics. But how politically active are they really?
Popular media typically defines Gen Z as those whose birth years fall between 1997 and 2012. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Gen Z makes up one-quarter of the U.S. population.
Let’s look at voting first. Historically, young adults aged 18-24 have had the lowest voter turnout. In the 2024 election, around 42% of young voters actually voted, according to research by Tufts College.
However, as of 2025, 106 Gen Z lawmakers are taking office, Which is a 170% increase in Gen Z legislation in the country.
The overall research suggests that while voter turnout is low for Gen Z, they are making their political mark in other ways. Many individuals are taking their political impact beyond the ballot box, arranging protests, and even running for office.
One of the youngest politicians in the U.S., Maxwell Frost, was elected to Congress at age 25. While Maxwell is the only member of Generation Z in Congress, many others, such as Alissandra Murray and Arturo Alonso, have made their way to the House of Representatives.
Even outside of the U.S., we see Gen Z making their mark in political activism, such as Greta Thurberg, the environmental activist from Sweden who, at age 15, started the first “School Strike for Climate” outside of SSweden’sparliament.
Social media has played a crucial role in Gen Z’s political involvement. From climate justice to racial reform, young people have led nationwide movements demanding policy changes from lawmakers. Gen Z played a crucial role in movements such as the BLM and #MeToo movement and overall political activism in the U.S.
While Gen Z is shaping the future of politics, their impact continues to unfold. Only time will tell if this generation’s political engagement leads this country for better or for worse.
