Progressives Deploy Donuts, Tailgates and Celebs to Win Over Disillusioned Gen Z Voters
Progressive groups are using unconventional tactics like donuts, tailgate parties and celebrity events to engage Gen Z voters after Democrats missed them in 2024.
Democrats’ failure to capture Gen Z in the 2024 election has spurred a wave of inventive voter-engagement drives. Groups including Democracy + Donuts, which pairs free pastries with registration info, and Keep AZ Blue, which brings elected officials to tailgates and community colleges, are targeting campuses, coffee shops and local celebrations. National non-partisan outfit When We All Vote plans 5,000 “Party at the Polls” events to reach an estimated 20 million young voters, focusing on Black and brown communities.
Celebrity-backed initiatives from HeadCount feature Ilana Glazer, Harry Styles and Bob the Drag Queen offering concert-ticket prizes. Early signs show boosted youth turnout in El Paso’s primary and strong support for Democratic candidates in Michigan, while California added nearly 2 million Gen Z registrants since 2022. Organizers argue that fun, low-pressure settings help overcome the alienation many young people feel toward traditional canvassing.
Why it matters
Engaging disaffected Gen Z could reshape upcoming elections and influence policy direction.
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