For many ULM students, the 2024 election marks their first time voting in a presidential election. However, ULM students are not the only members of Generation Z voting this year.

 According to Tufts University’s Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), over 41 million members of Generation Z are eligible to vote on Election Day.

  As more college students enter the polls, candidates are attempting to gain the support of young voters. Candidates seek to address critical issues that weigh on the minds of Generation Z.  

 According to CIRCLE, Generation Z considers issues such as gun control, climate change and inflation as top priorities in the coming election. When asked about the upcoming election, ULM students described which issues would affect their decision.

Junior biology major Agnes Ugokwe considered climate change to be her top issue this election season.

“I want a president who’ll be able to make changes that can positively affect the Earth’s climate for the present as well as for future generations,” she said. “America is a country that the world looks to, so setting the example will hopefully cause other countries to follow suit.”

College Democrats President Madison Hebert focused on public policy, mentioning the economy and reproductive rights.

“We have a lot at stake for this election with the economy and our rights to do what we want with our bodies,” Hebert said. “We have fallen into a battle of the candidates rather than policies, and this election is detrimental to trying to pull ourselves out of that stigma.”

Senior accounting major Landon Morris explained that he believes fundamental human rights are at stake this election season.

“I heavily value a future for this country that gives all people, regardless of background, the rights they deserve,” Morris said. “I would be greatly disappointed to see our country vote in favor of taking rights away from them.”