While it may seem distant in the future, the political primaries of the 2026 midterms will soon be upon us. For those unaware, the primaries are an occasion where each political party chooses its respective candidate for the upcoming election cycle. 

As a student, ​I have heard the far too often gripe amongst many of my peers of the lack of adequate representation of their interests and views, even going as far to display the sentiment that the system is “rigged” and that real change in our political system is impossible. 

“Why don’t they represent my interests?” is a common sentiment I hear. I’m far from the naive, starry-eyed, doggy-wagging-tail optimist, but the simple fact of the matter is there is no reason for this pessimism within the prospect of enacting positive change on this front.

​Studies on this topic have consistently shown that participation in primaries correlates strongly with age. According to a 2024 study by the National Vote at Home Institute, voters 65 and older had a six-times higher turnout rate (36%) than those aged 18-34, who had just a 6% turnout.

​One of the principal reasons young people often feel so alienated by our political system right now is that the interests and views represented in our system are downstream of the “vetting process” of primaries. Those who participate, such as the older generations, are disproportionally more likely to hold not just contradictory, but diametrically opposed views, values, and even interests compared to those less likely to participate in the process such as the younger generation, particularly Gen Z. 

​The truth is, there is more that unites us as a generation than divides us. We were unknowingly “guinea pigs” being exposed to a technology at far too young an age, with proven deleterious effects on a multitude of cognitive and psychological functions. 

We lived through COVID during some of our most formative years and took the brunt of the crushing effects of lockdowns and were blindsided by the consequences of the move towards the virtual at the expense of the personal. 

We also inherited the most unaffordable housing market in all of human history, to name only a fraction of the highlights and challenges we collectively faced and will continue to face in the future.

​Are you tired of our pay-to-play political system in which the ultra-wealthy and influential have a disproportionately undue impact? 

Or maybe you’re sick of a regime that refuses to rein in the growing influence of private equity firms that are simultaneously driving costs up and reducing quality in whatever they touch? 

Or perhaps it’s the current administration’s refusal to go after pedophiles and human traffickers.

​If Gen Z turned out in mass at primaries, which I believe is the single most effective way of turning this country around, watch how quickly a political system emerges, or at least is forced to capitulate on a couple of issues, that serves us.

Categories: Opinion