Several vulnerable House Democrats, including those in crucial battleground states, have recently partnered with a left-wing Gen Z advocacy group ahead of the 2024 election. The group, Voters of Tomorrow, supports policies such as decriminalizing prostitution, dismantling racist institutions, calling for stricter gun control, and ending the abusive practices of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection. Through a “Youth Vote Champion” pledge, 36 members of Congress have joined forces with Voters of Tomorrow to engage young Gen Z voters. Some of the House members who took the pledge are located in swing-districts, including those in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Alaska.
The four vulnerable House members who aligned with Voters of Tomorrow, including Rep. Matt Cartwright, Rep. Greg Landsman, Rep. Mary Peltola, and Rep. Susan Wild, all celebrated joining forces with the advocacy group on social media. They emphasized the importance of empowering Gen Z and engaging young people in the political process to build a better future. However, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) criticized these Democrats, calling them “complete frauds” for supporting policies such as abolishing cash bail, defunding the police, and decriminalizing sex work and drugs. The NRCC argued that aligning with Voters of Tomorrow shows these Democrats are not moderate.
Immigration and the economy, along with crime, are major issues impacting voters in the current election cycle. Prostitution has also become a significant issue in certain areas of the country, with residents voicing concerns over rampant prostitution on city streets. Voters of Tomorrow advocates for the decriminalization of prostitution, arguing that sex work is work, and that criminalizing consensual sex takes away from the human right to autonomy and privacy. Additionally, the group calls for the end of cash bail, stating that no one should have to remain in prison simply because they cannot afford bail.
Voters of Tomorrow was founded in 2019 by Santiago Mayer, a 17-year-old immigrant from Mexico who noticed a lack of political engagement among his peers at high school. The group has since focused on advocating for Gen Z voters to participate in elections, including the 2020 election and the 2022 midterms. The Republican Party had a lackluster performance in the 2022 midterms, with some attributing this to a lack of outreach to Gen Z voters. Gen Z voters overwhelmingly supported Democrats in the 2022 election, highlighting the growing importance of this voting demographic in shaping election results. The GOP might need to engage more with Gen Z voters to secure electoral victories in the future.
It is evident that the partnership between vulnerable House Democrats and Voters of Tomorrow ahead of the 2024 election reflects a strategic move to engage young Gen Z voters and align with progressive policies. The advocacy group’s focus on issues such as decriminalizing prostitution and abolishing cash bail may help energize young voters who are passionate about social justice and reform. However, the NRCC’s criticism highlights the divisive nature of these policies and underscores the ongoing ideological battles within the political landscape. As the election season heats up, it remains to be seen how these partnerships and policy stances will influence voter attitudes and electoral outcomes in key battleground states.
