When We All Vote surveyed over 50,000 Gen Z voters nationwide and found cost of living and inflation are their top concerns, followed by immigration, healthcare, racism and reproductive rights. The listening tour highlighted differences by race—Black Gen Z prioritized racism, while Latino Gen Z prioritized immigration. Organizers are using these insights during National Voter Registration Week of Action and plan to shape programming through 2027 to boost youth registration and turnout.
50,000 Gen Z Voters Speak Out: Cost of Living Tops Their List, Immigration and Racism Also Priorities
Here’s What Gen Z Voters Care About Most, According To 50K Young People Surveyed
More than 50,000 Gen Z voters from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., shared which issues matter most to them as they prepare for upcoming elections, according to findings released by When We All Vote.
Key Findings From the "Pass the Mic to Gen Z" Listening Tour
The national, nonpartisan initiative—part of Civic Nation—published the results on Sept. 14 as it launched National Voter Registration Week of Action. Across the sample, cost of living and inflation emerged as the top concern for Gen Z. Other leading issues included immigration, healthcare, racism and reproductive rights.
The tour also revealed notable differences across racial and ethnic groups: Black Gen Z participants ranked racism as their top issue, while Latino Gen Zers identified immigration as their primary concern.
How the Listening Tour Reached Young Voters
Launched in April, Pass the Mic to Gen Z is a long-term effort to collect direct input from young people and shape civic engagement and voter education. Organizers gathered feedback through campus pop-ups (including North Carolina A&T University and the University of Houston), sporting events like the NBA Summer League and Fanatics Fest, cultural events such as Teen Vogue Fest, digital campaigns and partner events.
Kalisha Dessources Figures, senior advisor at When We All Vote, said:
“This summer, we heard directly from more than 50,000 young voters about the economy, cost of living and the other issues impacting their lives most. Gen Z took the mic, and now we're taking the momentum from this summer's listening tour into National Voter Registration Week of Action to remind the 50 million eligible young voters that the issues they care about most are on the ballot.”
From Insights to Action
When We All Vote said the insights collected this year will help shape the organization’s programming through 2027 and are being integrated into voter registration and mobilization efforts during National Voter Registration Week of Action. The campaign is partnering with media outlets (including FEMINIST, Baller Alert and Blavity’s AfroTech), consumer brands (such as Clare V. and The Ordinary) and community partners including Count US IN and the Gamma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. The group will also mark National Black Voter Day with BET on Sept. 18.
The registration push comes amid continuing nationwide debates over voting access, including disputes about early voting locations, mail-in ballot availability and redistricting. For When We All Vote, the aim is to turn the priorities young people expressed into turnout at the ballot box.
“Even if it doesn't always feel like it, our votes and our voices do have power,” Dessources Figures added. “The next step is getting our communities registered and ready to vote.”
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