What does the midterm election look like through the eyes of young voters in the Tahoe region? We asked five Gen Zers, ages 19 to 23, about whether they plan to vote, the issues that matter most to them, how well political parties represent them, and how they feel about voting in California and Nevada. Their answers reflect a generation that is engaged but not necessarily aligned, with concerns ranging from the cost of living and housing to international conflict, data centers, healthcare, and the economy. Respondents are listed alphabetically, with the order rotated throughout the Q&A.
Ella Brandt, 23
From Tahoe City
Ethnicity: White
Gender identity: Female
Registered as: Democrat
Ella Brandt is a Cal Poly alumnus currently working at a marina on Lake Tahoe.
1. Will you vote in the midterms? Why or why not?
Yes, I will be voting. I think it’s a pivotal and impactful time to be able to utilize and exercise my right to vote and take part in our democracy, especially given where I stand on who controls the House and Senate.
2. What do you think is the most important issue in the midterm election and why?
Cost of living and health care are two of the biggest issues in this midterm. The propositions on our ballot could bring real relief on housing, health care, and taxes. This is largely important to help the well-being of families and workers across California.
3. How well does your political party currently represent you and why?
I think the Democratic Party ultimately represents me better than any alternative. When I weigh my options, the party aligns more closely with my values, particularly environmental sustainability, access to health care, and Congress holding the President accountable.
4. In a national (political) context, how do you feel about being Nevadan or Californian?
It’s hard to sum up all Californians in one way, and voting is how every part of the state gets heard. I like being Californian overall, but living in Tahoe, I think I may have a different perspective than most Californians. For instance, we deal with seasonal crowds and a housing market that’s hard for locals to afford.
5. Will you be voting by mail or in person? If by mail, do you have any reservations about using this method?
I will likely vote in person.
6. On the ballot is a billionaires tax, a one-time tax of 5% on the wealth of individuals worth over $1 billion. The tax is meant to subsidize healthcare, education and food assistance for Californians. Are you in support of this and why or why not?
(Editor’s Note: This question was asked only of Californians.)
I am in full support of this. Individuals with that much wealth and accessibility to money should contribute to the communities around them. It would bring a meaningful influx of money to those who need it.
7. What local election are you following, if any?
I am not currently following any specific local race.
Brenna Ritchie, 21
From Incline Village
Ethnicity: White
Gender identity: Female
Registered as: Democrat
Brenna Ritchie is a Rangeland Ecology and Natural Resources Management student at Montana State University.
1. Will you vote in the midterms? Why or why not?
Yes, of course, they are still important votes because it changes options for the primary elections: if you have an opinion in the primaries, then you should have a vested interest in the midterms.
2. What do you think is the most important issue in the midterm election and why?
Economics and cost of living and also data centers! Data center policy is something that every American citizen can rally behind, regardless of party, because they affect so much of our future and use of resources. Specifically, our future water use and land use are drastically impacted by data centers, and these are the two most important things for American agriculture — which is ultimately what keeps us all alive.
3. How well does your political party currently represent you and why?
Not super well — both are quite polarized on issues. Neither party tries to see the perspective of the other- and both are losing followers because they are so far leaning. I think there is a huge hole in American politics for someone who is middle ground on issues to collect voters from both parties due to their evenness and views for both sides.
4. In a national (political) context, how do you feel about being Nevadan or Californian?
I love being a Nevadan — I love being part of a swing state where your voice actually matters — especially in a contentious time right now with data center controversy.
5. Will you be voting by mail or in person? If by mail, do you have any reservations about using this method?
I will be voting by mail, and no I don’t have any reservations about using it — I trust the mail service to send packages, cards, and more, and I see sending a ballot as the same thing. I have faith in our hardworking citizens to deliver it, and for people counting them to act as upstanding Americans and do the right thing- as long as it gets counted, I don’t care through which avenue I vote.
6. What local election are you following, if any?
I am not following many local elections because I am not currently living there, but I do hear and keep tabs on the IVGID elections from my dad.
Hazin Burtt, 19
From Truckee
Ethnicity: Mixed
Gender Identity: Male
Registered as: Independent
Hazin is a professional rock climber.
1. Will you vote in the midterms? Why or why not?
I will be voting in the midterms because I believe that one vote can make a difference.
2. What do you think is the most important issue in the midterm election and why?
I believe the most important issue is our president and getting him impeached. If we cannot loosen the control of the Republicans in Congress, then we will have to suffer the consequences of his actions.
3. How well does your political party currently represent you and why?
They represent me well, but they don’t cover all my opinions on things. But that is to be expected. They represent me more than the Democrats and much more than the Republicans.
4. In a national (political) context, how do you feel about being Nevadan or Californian?
I don’t feel terrible about it because while Gavin Newsom makes some terrible decisions, he does some good for the environment.
5. Will you be voting by mail or in person? If by mail, do you have any reservations about using this method?
I will be voting in person, I like the sticker and the small trip out to vote at a poll.
6. On the ballot is a billionaires tax, a one-time tax of 5% on the wealth of individuals worth over $1 billion. The tax is meant to subsidize healthcare, education and food assistance for Californians. Are you in support of this and why or why not?
(Editor’s Note: This question was asked only of Californians.)
I am in support of this but I do wish the percentage was higher. It would allow so many people to live their lives with what should be the basics, but who currently cannot.
7. What local election are you following, if any?
I am not following any local races currently.
Emmett Roberts, 22
From Olympic Valley
Ethnicity: White
Gender identity: Male
Registered as: Independent
Emmett is a Tufts University Alumnus currently working as an electrical engineer.
1. Will you vote in the midterms? Why or why not?
I will vote in the midterms. I mostly want my vote to reflect how I feel the president is handling his term by voting on congress members. So while I will be voting for state government and propositions, my main motivation is to vote for congress members.
2. What do you think is the most important issue in the midterm election and why?
The biggest issue for me is the international conflict and the US’s involvement. I am very against the conflicts, and our government is not only funding Israel with weapons and money, but also making little diplomatic progress towards a ceasefire with Iran.
3. How well does your political party currently represent you and why?
I am nonpartisan so I feel it represents me pretty well. I have ideals that align with multiple different parties, and even if most of them are more aligned with the Democratic Party, I don’t think its current image is one I fully support or agree with.
4. In a national (political) context, how do you feel about being Nevadan or Californian?
I feel good about being Californian, the people in California share mostly the same important social and political viewpoints as me.
5. Will you be voting by mail or in person? If by mail, do you have any reservations about using this method?
I will be voting in person.
6. On the ballot is a billionaires tax, a one-time tax of 5% on the wealth of individuals worth over $1 billion. The tax is meant to subsidize healthcare, education and food assistance for Californians. Are you in support of this and why or why not?
(Editor’s Note: This question was asked only of Californians.)
I think it is a good idea if implemented correctly. I will be voting for it, but I don’t want the money used improperly and I don’t want to drive billionaires out of the state, which could severely decrease state tax revenue and have other economic consequences.
7. What local election are you following, if any?
None.
Luke Bracco, 23
From Truckee
Ethnicity: White
Gender identity: Male
Registered as: Independent
Luke Bracco is a mountain guide and from Alamo, California. He has lived in Tahoe on and off for his entire life.
1. Will you vote in the midterms? Why or why not?
Yes, definitely. Midterms decide who’s in Congress and who sets policy at the state and local level, and those decisions affect day-to-day life more than people realize. Skipping them means letting other people choose for me.
2. What do you think is the most important issue in the midterm election and why?
The economy and unemployment are issues that have my attention. Housing and healthcare are equally important, but hinge on the stability of a consistent paycheck. Holding work is critical to being able to build a life, and for people my age, that’s a huge source of uncertainty.
3. How well does your political party currently represent you and why?
I lean Democrat and it’s the closest fit, but not a perfect one. I agree with the party on a lot of social and policy priorities, but I don’t always feel it puts enough focus on jobs and affordability, which are important issues to me.
4. In a national (political) context, how do you feel about being Nevadan or Californian?
I have mixed feelings living here. California is a leader in innovation, climate policy, and culture, but it also falls victim to political issues seen at a national level. It’s frustrating that critical issues like cost of living and housing fall behind more divisive social issues. We spend too much time fighting over ideas that affect a relatively small portion of the population and ignore ones that truly affect the lives of everyone.
5. Will you be voting by mail or in person? If by mail, do you have any reservations about using this method?
I will vote by mail. It’s convenient and I have no reservations about it.
6. On the ballot is a billionaires tax, a one-time tax of 5% on the wealth of individuals worth over $1 billion. The tax is meant to subsidize healthcare, education and food assistance for Californians. Are you in support of this and why or why not?
(Editor’s Note: This question was asked only of Californians.)
I’m torn on the billionaire tax. I like the goal of funding healthcare, education, and food assistance, and I think the ultra-wealthy can contribute more, but I worry about the application. Whether it’s a true one-time tax, how wealth gets valued, and if the money actually reaches those programs are some questions I’ve raised. It also strikes me as a headline political move, another easy to support or protest idea that keeps us from talking about long term, harder to address issues.
7. What local election are you following, if any?
I’m not following a specific local race. Honestly, I haven’t seen much coverage of local issues, and I think that’s a gap in how elections get covered.
