Leo Jahn, a fourth-year computer science and music major at the University of Georgia, plans to vote in person for the 2026 Georgia primary elections.
He said the environment and the economy are some of the most important issues that will influence his decisions in the May elections.
“I’ve always been pretty big on the environment, conservation, stuff like that has always been important, ” Jahn said. “Right now, especially, keeping prices at least somewhat lower, new jobs, possibly, is also a big one … kind of good stuff for the economy.”
Generation Z is historically the least likely age group to cast their ballots on Election Day. The United States Census Bureau recorded that only 25.6% of 18- to 24-year-olds voted in the 2022 election.
Approximately 44% of Gen Zers voted in the 2024 election, a 71.48% increase from the 2022 election voter participation.
Jahn sees exercising your vote as the duty of a U.S. citizen.
It’s pretty much the bare minimum that we can do as citizens is vote,” Jahn said.
Jahn tells an anecdote from a former professor that highlights why it is important to vote.
“People who don’t vote are the cockroaches that feast on the crumbs of society,” said Jahn, recalling the professor’s words.
Gracie Edwards is a journalism major in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia.
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