By Kam Shenai, Co-Founder, ACT Florida

For decades, the story of American politics has been shaped by older generations—by their participation, their priorities, and their sheer consistency at the voting booth. But a historic shift has already taken place, quietly and powerfully: Millennials and Gen Z together have become 48.5% of the nation’s eligible voters, surpassing Baby Boomers and transforming the demographic reality of the United States.

In raw numbers, young Americans now are the electorate. They are the most diverse, globally connected, technologically fluent, and socially conscious generations in recent times They care deeply about issues that shape the long-term trajectory of the nation: national debt, climate resilience, economic stability, affordable education, and the promise of a fairer society.

But in politics, numbers alone don’t translate into influence. Turnout does.

And here lies the defining gap of our era. In the 2024 election, voters under 44 turned out at only 58%. Meanwhile, voters 44 and older reached 72% turnout, continuing the pattern of older Americans outvoting younger ones in every modern election. Seniors routinely achieve 70%+ turnout, election after election. That consistency gives them electoral power far beyond their demographic share.

This turnout gap doesn’t just affect who wins elections—it affects what gets prioritized in Congress. The 119th Congress reflects this imbalance: with an average age of 58.9 and only one Gen Z member, the body making decisions about national debt, healthcare reform, immigration, climate, affordability education, and the next fifty years of policy is almost entirely composed of people who will not experience those long-term consequences.

But here’s the extraordinary part—this imbalance is not structural. And it’s not inevitable. Young Americans don’t need a constitutional amendment. They don’t need permission. They simply need to show up.

If Millennials and Gen Z matched the turnout rates of Baby Boomers and older voters, American politics would change immediately and dramatically. Elections at every level—from local school boards to the presidency—would reflect the priorities of a rising generation that is already the nation’s majority. Policymakers would no longer be able to ignore the real issues like national debt, healthcare reform, climate risks, affordability, or the demands of a rapidly changing workforce. Representation would shift. Agendas would shift. The national conversation would shift.

This isn’t wishful thinking. It’s plain math.

Young Americans have already won the demographic battle. The only battle left is turnout. And the moment that gap closes—even slightly—America’s political landscape will be reshaped by the generations who will live longest with the consequences of today’s choices.

The future isn’t something distant or abstract. It isn’t waiting for permission to arrive. It is here—and it is ready for Millennials and Gen Z to claim.

All that’s needed now is the simplest act in a democracy: Show up. Vote. Lead.

Kam Shenai

Co-Founder AAPI Coming Together

AAPIs Coming Together (ACT) FL with REACH FL high school students at their 2024 Civics, College and Career Day in Orlando.