From content creators to a “Hotties for Harris” celebration and an abundance of “Kamala is brat” merchandise, it’s evident that Gen Z has made their presence known at the Democratic National Convention, regardless of opinions.

In 2020, young voters helped propel Joe Biden to the presidency. Now, the Democrats are actively engaging this generation’s progressive voices to secure their support in the upcoming November election for Vice President Kamala Harris.

As the Democratic nominee prepares to speak on Thursday evening, she must keep in mind that Gen Z is paying attention and ready to be inspired— provided she addresses their pressing concerns. My discussions with attendees suggest she is keenly aware of the young leaders present.

“The vice president values our voices being heard, whether it’s during stage presentations, major caucus events, or various happenings throughout the DNC,” Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., the first Gen Z member of Congress, remarked to me.

Many in my generation have a cautious sense of optimism regarding the implications for the presidential race. It’s clear that the Democratic Party requires Gen Z’s support to succeed, and their enthusiasm is palpable, sometimes even a bit intense.

Gen Z has firmly entered the dialogue

While Harris belongs to the baby boomer generation, her campaign has made significant efforts to win over Gen Z voters who felt disconnected from Biden. A critical element of this strategy has involved influencers.

Several young activists, including content creator Deja Foxx, spoke passionately during the convention, with Foxx giving a lively speech on Monday evening.

“Those of us in my age group are facing significant decisions about our futures, and we rightly deserve a president who supports us,” Foxx stated.

Engaging content creators is one of the Democratic Party’s more tactful strategies. The potential for TikTok to make content from the convention go viral is substantial.

While Generation Z, those born from 1997 to 2012, might not be tuning into the DNC via traditional cable, they are actively following the event through social media platforms.

An Axios analysis from last fall highlighted that a third of social media users under 30 receive their news from TikTok, with many more engaging on Instagram and X, previously known as Twitter.

Key moments at the DNC resonating with younger voters

The overarching theme of this year’s convention is “For the People, For our Future.” It appears that Democrats are finally acknowledging that we aren’t merely the future; we are very much the present.

“It’s fantastic to see so many young leaders,” Bill Clinton remarked during his speech on Wednesday night. “Many of them will follow me on stage. They present well, they articulate well, and they bring excitement.”

Harris seems to be attuned to this shift. She has tirelessly advocated for young voters’ priorities over the years, taking charge of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and strongly supporting reproductive rights.

Julianna Boye, a member of Harris’s team, observes that this energy shift is significant. Michelle Obama’s speech resonated in a new way, moving away from the motto “when they go low, we go high” she popularized in 2016.

“There’s been a noticeable ideological shift due to contemporary circumstances, and I believe they did an excellent job articulating the stakes involved,” she noted.

This transformation reflects positively for the Democrats and signals the dawn of a new chapter in progressive politics. It also highlights the degree to which Donald Trump poses a threat to Gen Z in unique ways.

“This election is paramount for Gen Z,” emphasized Jack Lobel, press secretary for the nonprofit Voters of Tomorrow. The organization is distributing friendship bracelets and condoms featuring an anti-Project 2025 message at their booth. “Our entire future hinges on this.”

This is a pivotal election, and we must behave accordingly. More and more young individuals are recognizing this responsibility.

Youth engagement has soared significantly. Vote.org, a nonpartisan platform for voter registration, reported over 38,500 new registrations, primarily from those under 35, within just two days after Biden’s exit from the race and Harris’s entrance. This is a positive indicator for the party.

Generation Z’s Attention in This Election. We Must Make Our Voices Heard.

Sometimes, the stakes feel incredibly high. I fear we might not rise to this crucial moment, which will impact us as we transition into adulthood. There’s also a concern that if Harris loses, my generation might be unjustly blamed for it, despite our efforts to support her campaign.

It is vital for Zoomers to make their voices heard through their votes—a reality that many peers at the United Center in Chicago are aware of.

“We can’t rely solely on good vibes to secure victory,” Natalie Fall, director of March For Our Lives, explained. “If that were enough, we’d be in a strong position. What we really need are substantial discussions with young voters.”

It is worth noting that both political parties focus heavily on managing their public personas and energizing their supporters. For the Republicans, this means embracing the full MAGA agenda. For the Democrats, it entails reaching out directly to optimistic young voters. The outcome in November will reveal the effectiveness of these approaches.

Fall is right: Captivating Zoomers on social media isn’t equivalent to securing their votes. If Harris aims to achieve that, her speech on Thursday night could be crucial in initiating a new chapter in Democratic politics.

Follow YSL News’s elections correspondent, Sara Pequeño, on X (formerly Twitter): @sara__pequeno