I think that's really how the Democrats keep this momentum going through 2024. And, you know, we want to see more sustained outreach, though. I think those are things that young voters largely support. They are canceling large amounts of student debt and pardoning anyone for simple marijuana possession. They passed historic investments in HBCUs and community colleges. They - you know, they passed the single largest investment in climate change history. LOBEL: Look, I think that President Biden and the Democratic Party have shown that they are fighting for Gen Z on a lot of different issues, and they've shown their ability to deliver. But is Joe Biden the candidate for Gen Z? MARTIN: I realize that I am about to pivot into the future. And - you know, so we were all focused on progress. And we have a very big stake in our future. We want to build a better future for our families as much as anyone. We want to build a better future for ourselves. You know, we see that - the rising cost of health care, of housing, of education. Economic issues are hitting young people very hard. We are focusing on our ability to build a better future. So, you know, we are focusing on abortion rights. They're trying to restrict our rights, and they're trying to take us back in time. But the far right is trying to attack us. I think young voters recognize that when Roe fell, it may have been the first of many rights to fall. LOBEL: Voters of Tomorrow's been doing a lot of polling, and we saw that abortion was certainly a top issue. MARTIN: So when you were out trying to galvanize support for largely Democratic candidates, what were the issues that were top of mind for other young voters you talked to? I voted because although in New York we have gun violence restrictions that keep us safe, my peers in other states don't have those rights. But I voted because, you know, my peers in other states do not have those same rights. So, you know, I live in New York where we're lucky to have abortion rights enshrined in our constitution. We feel empathy for our generation and members of our generation in other states. You know, in a lot of age groups, we saw that, you know, voters in certain states voted in a certain way, but Gen Z is connected. LOBEL: I think that Gen Z is uniquely connected. But what issues helped you make your choices? MARTIN: So we'll broaden it out to talk about the demographic as a whole. But it really felt great to be a voter as well and to make my voice heard at the ballot box. You know, I've been an advocate and I've been an organizer and I've been a strategist. MARTIN: You voted for the first time this year, I understand. It's a Gen Z-led organization focused on mobilizing young voters and electing more Democrats. He's the deputy communications director for a group called Voters of Tomorrow. What resonated with young voters this time around? We are joined by Jack Lobel. Two years ago, voters under the age of 30 turned out in record numbers to help Joe Biden defeat Donald Trump. Young voters are important to both political parties, Democrats and Republicans.
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