CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In 2024, 8.3 million people will age into voting eligibility, according to research from Tufts University.
Gen Z is leading much of the online chatter, especially after a viral debate performance from both candidates. However, getting them to the polls is a different story.
We make that joke about like, armchair activists, right? The ones that are on social media, and that's all they do," said Emily Stack. "They have an opinion. They don't actually end up in the polls."
Stack is the Chair of North Carolina Federation of Young Republicans, one of many statewide groups encouraging young voters to keep their online momentum up all the way to the polls.
"We make sure reaching out to them, whether it's text messaging or going to community events and talking to them," Stack said. "We specifically have several different campaigns set up to go to targeted areas."
On the other side of the aisle, Charles DeLoach is the Vice President of the Young Democrats of Mecklenburg County.
"North Carolina was the only swing state that Biden lost that Harris has a real chance of winning," DeLoach said.
Despite different opinions, the two organizations are using similar strategies to mobilize young voters.
"Trying to meet young people where they are, Hosting social events that almost sneakily educate them about what's happening, and let them know this doesn't have to be some painful experience," DeLoach said. "You can come here with your friends, learn a little bit about these issues that are going to affect you, and make a plan to vote."
The voter registration deadline in North Carolina is Oct. 11.