The Young Vote (REALLY! They do.)
We are heading into the midterms and we have been inundated with ads. How do we process all of the information?
Much of the information is unverifiable, and either requires a lot of trust, or, fact checking.
I believe it is our responsibility to fact check. However, in the meantime, it requires us to make sure that we are doing critical thinking and not simply taking network TV ads as produced.
THE YOUNG VOTE
One of the obvious liens toward the political circus is the appeal to young people. And for good reason. In the last two elections, the youth vote (Gen Z) has grown by 3.5% in 2020 and over 10% in 2024. (BARNA.COM)
This is a significant generational shift that marks the largest increase in voting of any generational set.
Remember that the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 starts out with a great truth, “Our Father, which art in Heaven…” Not Washington, Silicon Valley, or New York City.
We are all consumed with midterm elections in 2026 America. And preparing our young people must continue to be on the forefront of our minds.
After all, the next great leaders of our nation live within the Gen Z set who are in college, grad school, internships, and getting much needed experience before they begin to shape our country in unprecedented ways.
This is significant because it means our young people will have a say in all of the elections and the issues in America for years to come. Which is why there is even more of an emphasis upon reaching the Next Gen with the gospel!
As a youth leader, you must be comfortable with the Election and the political conversations from a variety of views. Do not simply rely on your upbringing and personal ethic. Be educated on the viewpoints of each party. Study the platforms and the issues in government. That way you will be able to lead young people from a holistic perspective and not from a narrow one.
If you are a youth leader, here are four principles we must place in the next generation as they become politically influential and eligible to vote:
The principles of one generation become the practices of the next
EVERY OLD POLITICIAN IN AMERICA WAS A YOUNG ADULT AT ONE TIME, SO, WHAT ARE WE DOING TO SHAPE THE NEXT LEADERS IN OUR NATION?
How critical it is for us to see the sustainability of generational influence. The weakness in one generation could be magnified in the next if we are not careful.
It is the responsibility of one generation to prepare the next
IN THE LAST ELECTION YOUNG VOTERS WERE THE FASTEST GROWING DEMOGRAPHIC AND GEN Z HAD THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF VOTER TURNOUT THAN ANY OTHER GENERATION (BARNA.COM)
we cannot underestimate the power of the youth vote. They have something to say, and what they say may come directly from their parents, peers, coaches, influencers, pop culture, and the other leaders around them.
that is why we need to look at our responsibility to raise the next generation.
Young people are ready to do the work and not just talk about it
DISUNITY IN GOVERNMENT, THE REDEFINITION OF THE FAMILY, SCHOOL VIOLENCE, PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION, GLOBAL TERRORISM, AND THE SEXUAL REVOLUTION IN AMERICA ARE THE KIND OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE BY GEN Z & ALPHA GEN IN THE NEXT DECADE
Don’t be mistaken, this generation is moved by a cause, and these midterms will prove it once again. That cause might be water wells, food, starvation/poverty, ill literacy, or human trafficking.
These are the kind of topics that politics will address directly. And the reason why we need biblically based young people to take their place in American politics.
Understand one very important thing, the church and politics do not need to be separate and they were never met to be
IF STUDENTS DO NOT HEAR ABOUT POLITICS FROM THEIR SPIRITUAL LEADERS, WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO GET THEIR INFORMATION?
throughout scripture, it has been proven that there is no separation of the church from the state. They both carry a very important symbiotic relationship - spiritual and cultural transformation
Finally
WHEN IT COMES TO POLITICS I HAVE KEPT ONE VERY IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE AT THE CENTER OF MY LIFE
“So seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you, and pray to the Lord on its behalf. For in its welfare, you will find peace.”
-Jeremiah 29.7
God has sent us into the world to bring the kingdom of God. Some people will understand that and some will not.
I would never win an argument and lose a friendship. I believe we can win both the argument and the relationship with conviction to our beliefs and respect of people. It’s not about one or the other.
Questions:
What can I agree on? Is there something someone said in a conversation that is common ground to both of us that we can spend more time on? I am intrigued by what you said, where did you learn that from? I’ve never thought of that perspective, can you explain that again?
Finally
Remember that the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 starts out with a great truth, “Our Father, which art in Heaven…” Not Washington, Silicon Valley, or New York City. God is in control through all of our decisions.
All of these conversations must be done with respect and honor. And ultimately with submission. Romans 13 is very clear about this.
Make it a point as a parent and a youth leader to have an understanding of the times and to know what to do. To have a conversation with young people and to know what to say. The more you are able to discuss the issues the more able you will be to engage all of your students in this conversation.