Plan to suppress Gen Z voters will backfire
The Florida Legislature is trying to restrict voting rights in our great state — again.
For the third time in as many years, they’ve passed a bill that will make it harder to use our constitutional right to vote. This time it’s young people — particularly Gen
Z college students — who will be most affected. The bill passed both chambers along partisan lines, and it is now headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk. He should veto it.
Young people are already underrepresented in our political system. Senate Bill 7050 means we will face more barriers to participating in the democratic process.
The Florida Legislature is saying young people don’t matter, and our voices don’t count. But young people are a growing demographic in the United States and in Florida.
We are passionate about issues like climate change, racial justice, income inequality and, yes, voting rights. We are eager to make our voices heard. By trying to suppress our votes, the Florida Legislature will inspire us to get more involved.
This bill is bad for Gen Z voters and bad for Florida, but any plan to curtail Gen Z’s political participation will backfire.
The bill claims to prevent voter fraud, but evidence suggests otherwise. Voter fraud is rare. The bill would create more barriers to voting. It would affect young people in an unfair way, especially college students like me. Many of us move frequently and rely on mail-in voting.
The bill would force people to provide a verified Social Security number, valid state-issued driver’s license or Florida ID card to vote by mail. The rule would create a barrier for young people who may not have all the necessary documents.
It will prove especially difficult for those who are new to the state or have recently turned 18. The bill would also require students to register to vote every year. It would make it more difficult for us to take part in the democratic process.
The bill would also make it harder for organizations to run voter drives. It would impose high fines for misregistering someone by accident. Voter drives are essential for increasing voter turnout, and that’s especially true among underrepresented groups like young people.
All of the provisions of this bill add up to fewer young people who will be able to vote. It is a simple voter suppression strategy.
Young people are a force with which to reckon. We are engaged, we are passionate and we are not afraid to fight for what we believe in.
Gen Z is redefining politics. We may be attacked for speaking the truth, but we have the courage to do so, and we know that our voices are good for democracy.
The Florida Legislature’s continued attack on voting rights is upsetting, but I won’t be demoralized, and I won’t give up on Florida. Even if this bill becomes law, my peers and I will be on the front lines. We will help people get their paperwork in order so they can have a voice. Instead of throwing up our hands, I and my fellow Gen Z Floridians will step up and lead.
Young people won’t be silenced. We’ll keep fighting, keep organizing and keep making our voices heard.
Because eventually it will be us in charge, and we’d like to keep the lights on for Florida democracy until then.
Eliahna McFarlane is a 2022 fellow for IGNITE National, a nonpartisan young women’s political leadership organization. She is majoring in international affairs at Florida State University.