As far as negative stereotypes go, Gen Z has faced a lot. According to the internet, Gen Z is lazy, apathetic, and too reliant on social media to think independently. And when it comes to Gen Z’s politics in particular, the same criticisms are often repeated. But Her Campus’s 2026 election survey of Gen Z women — primarily current college students and post-grads — tells a different story.
A total of 374 respondents across 40 states in the U.S. shared their thoughts about the upcoming midterm elections, and while they expressed many concerns about the outcome of the election and the state of the government, their responses also conveyed a high level of engagement in politics, and sometimes even optimism for the future.
Sure, over 80% of respondents reported dissatisfaction with current political leadership — but, if anything, that dissatisfaction seems to be motivating them: 92% of survey respondents noted that voting is important to them, 86% said they believe Gen Z has the power to change things in this country by voting, and 41% even reported feeling hopeful about the election.
Clearly, political enthusiasm is not completely lost among Gen Zers. Here’s what they had to say about their hopes for the future.
They Believe In The Power Of Numbers.
Nearly 50 million Gen Zers are eligible to vote in this year’s midterms, and Gen Zers know the impact they could make with their votes. “There is strength in numbers; we can make change if we want to,” a 20-year-old from New York wrote in the Her Campus survey. A 19-year-old at Florida Southwestern State College added, “I believe everyone should have a say in how this country evolves. Voting is that say. If people of my generation vote and use that voice to change this country, it can make a difference.”
Our generation has so much power, we just need to learn how to use it to create the world we want to live in.
While a common worry among voters is that their vote won’t count, civically minded Gen Zers want to shift that narrative. “If everyone goes out and votes we can make a change,” said a 22-year-old from Texas. “People thinking that their one vote won’t change anything is how we’ve gotten where we are today.” An 18-year-old from Michigan shared a similar sentiment. “We just need to show up and vote … I really hope my generation turns up to vote to make our voices heard. If we want change, we have to demand it.”
Voter mobilization is at the forefront of Gen Zers’ minds this election cycle. “Our generation has so much power, we just need to learn how to use it to create the world we want to live in,” said a 23-year-old from Illinois. “Our generation has so many ideas for an equitable, sustainable world; if we come together we can make it happen. This starts with voter education and a movement to make change.”
With Nov. 3 almost here, Gen Z doesn’t want to just let whatever happens, happen. As a 22-year-old from Pennsylvania put it, “We can’t be passive and we shouldn’t be, because we need to ensure our future.”
They’re Doing More Than Just Voting.
Gen Zers understand the value of political engagement extends beyond the voting booth. As reported in Her Campus’s survey, in the past two years since the last election, Gen Zers have been politically active in a variety of ways — especially online: 59% have shared political content on their personal social media and 56% have signed an online petition.
Our generation is very political and is therefore more likely to make a difference.
“Generation Z is very vocal in terms of what its values are,” said a 24-year-old from Colorado. “With the rise of social media, I’ve seen my generation lead more to raise awareness to a lot of issues. Another respondent, a 23-year-old from Arizona, shared a similar sentiment. “We demand change and this generation of social media has tipped the awareness of what is truly happening in the world.”
Social media gets a bad rap for its impact on politics due to headline anxiety, polarization, and burnout. However, not all Gen Zers see social media’s impact as a bad thing. A 24-year-old respondent from Georgia said, “I believe that we use social media and important conversations to make a change and to educate ourselves and each other.”
And while social media seems to have the lowest barrier to entry for Gen Zers getting involved in politics, it’s not the only way they’re participating. According to the Her Campus survey, 45% said they’ve taken political action by boycotting a brand, 18% have attended a protest, and 13% have volunteered for a political campaign. “Our generation is very political and is therefore more likely to make a difference,” wrote a 20-year-old at the University of Central Florida.
Gen Z Is Thinking About More Than Just Themselves.
There’s a lot riding on this election cycle, and Gen Z isn’t shying away from that. “Voting gives us the opportunity to have a voice in decisions that can directly affect our lives and futures,” a 23-year-old from Arizona said. “Younger generations can help shape the direction of the country by becoming informed, participating in elections, and voting for the candidates and policies that best represent their values.”
My generation is the next in line to hope for change for our future kids and so on.
They also know this one election isn’t the end all, be all. “No matter what, we have to keep fighting, whether that result is in our favor or not,” a 23-year-old from Kentucky wrote in the survey. “I hope the election will push officials to do what the people want and need. We will still have to keep going regardless.”
And it goes beyond just what they’re hoping to see for themselves; many Gen Zers are also considering future generations. “My generation is the next in line to hope for change for our future kids and so on,” said a 22-year-old at Montclair State University.
Gen Z’s faith in their future proves that their cynicism and disillusionment doesn’t always equate to hopelessness — if anything, it seems to make them more passionate. As one respondent from Missouri said, “I hope everyone in America is voting for change, voting for themselves, voting for the future that they want for themselves and those who are the next working class Americans. It’s so important to go out for the 2026 midterm elections and vote.”