It is inherently undemocratic that a system does not reflect the diverse demographics of the population, including age diversity. Yet, this is still one of the most prominent issues in the US political landscape.
After the recent debate between former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden, a lot of questions are left unanswered. Who is better at golf? Who can drive a car the fastest? And why are they both running to rule a country with one foot in the grave? The two main runners in the presidential race in 2024 are respectively 78 and 81, and the youngest possible option on the ballot is 45-year-old Ron DeSantis.
This isn’t just an issue for the highest position in government, but in all of American politics. Currently, the average age of members of Congress hovers around 58 years, starkly contrasting with the median age of the US population, which is 38. This disparity means that a considerable portion of the electorate, particularly those under 40, lacks adequate representation in the legislative process. This was made even more apparent after the latest presidential debate.
But why is the lack of representation actually an issue? The major issues are policy mismatching, lack of equitable policies, and the inherent lack of democratic principles. The policy mismatching is seen in policy makers’ lack of engagement with topics such as climate change, student debt, and affordable housing. Notably, these issues are often only taken up by parties close to elections, as a superficial way to garner votes from a group that isn’t already tied to a party yet. The large generational gap affects how these issues are perceived. Regarding student debt, older politicians may approach the issue from a perspective shaped by their own experiences with education costs. Many attended college during a time when tuition was significantly lower and student loans were less common and more manageable. This had led to a lack of personal familiarity with the magnitude of student debt burdens facing today’s younger generations. This goes for all the aforementioned issues.
One could argue that politicians would try to appeal to this group of non-committed voters, as they would be easier to sway than long-time voters. However, this is not what we’re seeing in the political landscape. Historically, young people have lower voter turnout rates compared to older demographics. Politicians prioritize appealing to groups that are more likely to vote, such as older adults, who consistently show up at the polls in greater numbers. But this low voter turnout is not entirely the younger generation’s fault. Many young voters experience voter apathy, meaning they don’t feel that their vote actually makes any difference. This can primarily be tied to the lack of representation. When none of the candidates actually care for your issues directly, unless it benefits them short-term, the vote may seem irrelevant in the long run.
But why don’t young people just run anyway? The main argument is always the required minimum age to run for presidency, which is 35. However, this is not actually as bad as it seems, as roles like state legislator, local government positions, and House representative all range from 18-25. The actual primary reason is the financial barrier placed to have a successful campaign. Young candidates are consistently outrun by older generations who did not struggle through hyperinflation, record-high student loans, and a seemingly never-ending housing crisis. Running for office requires substantial financial resources to cover expenses like advertising, campaign staff salaries, travel, and events. Young candidates, often early in their careers and potentially burdened with student loan debt, will struggle to finance a competitive campaign. Smaller issues like the lack of connections and age bias also play a role in the struggle. In 2022, it was estimated that all campaigning for the congressional races came out to a whopping $8.9 billion across all candidates. Without sponsors and a party’s focus on you, it’s essentially impossible to stand out. Attempts at starting from grassroots movements also cost you in time, which is just as sparse for young people.
Addressing the underrepresentation of young people in politics requires systemic changes to reduce financial barriers, promote mentorship and support networks, and prioritize issues relevant to younger generations. By fostering an inclusive political environment, the US can better reflect the diversity of its population and ensure that all voices are heard in the democratic process. This, in turn, can improve voter turnout and promote equitable policies to help alleviate the struggles faced by the youth in America. However, the easiest place to start is probably letting Donald Trump and Joe Biden have their peace in a nice retirement home.
Maria Bahar Alamgiralam
July 2nd, 2024