By Ma. Cristina Miranda | The Red Chronicles
Photo Courtesy | AFP
As the midterm elections approach, the role of young voters, who mainly include Millennials and Gen Z, has never been more critical. Historically, voter turnout among the youth has increased, most especially during the last presidential elections, as gleaned from the outpouring of support for Leni Robredo from different sectors of the youth population.
When the 2022 election results became final, many felt a sense of defeat that was unexplainable. The pink movement that had uplifted spirits in the momentous rallies gave Robredo supporters the chance of experiencing good governance and real public service. Personally, I found refuge in the thought that the country could be salvaged from the fueled-by-rage presidential reign of Duterte. But with every defeat comes a lesson that, hopefully, we already learned from.
Statistics showed that approximately 40 million registered voters out of 65 million were part of the youth demographic. That means that a great percentage was significant in the election of President Marcos Jr. And that also demonstrates how impactful youth votes will be in the upcoming 2025 elections.
Who are the Youth?
Republic Act 8044 defines “youth” to be those persons whose ages are between 15 and 30. It encompasses the tail end of the Millennials and a huge population of Gen Z. These groups form the backbone of the country’s electorate, and their political preferences differ sharply from past generations. It could be said that they are more connected to the world through technology, more informed about global issues, and more vocal about their rights and expectations.
A youth-led organization like the Kabataan Partylist has been instrumental in pushing for policies that not only reflect the interests of young people but also offer better quality of life for their elders and parents. A few of the enactments co-authored by the Kabataan Partylist through Congressman Manuel include upgrading the salary levels of and providing medical allowance for public school teachers, providing for security of tenure for non-regular and regular employees of the government, declaring the student’s right, and promoting critical media literacy, among others.
Voter literacy: Who is an “educated” voter?
An educated voter can mean various things depending on who you’re asking. It could be referring to someone who attained a tertiary level of education or higher, or one who has a basic understanding of the political process and considers the implication of their vote on national and local governance.
However, voter literacy is more than knowing who the candidates are or their platforms. It’s about being critically informed and understanding the broader context of political issues.
As social media platforms like Tiktok and Twitter create spaces for political discourse, these online spaces can also be divisive, as seen in the use of terms like “bobotantes,” who, it can be argued, make decisions based on popularity rather than knowledge. If they like what they see on a physical level, then they are more likely to conclude that the good-looking lad with 100,000 likes on TikTok could probably provide them an easier life, albeit lacking in empathy and experience. This sentiment is often perpetuated in online discussions, where voters’ choices are questioned, and political discourse turns into a battleground of insults.
The never-ending trash talks were seen to be the very root of the divide among citizens, as socioeconomic standing and education became a matter of criticism when, as it seems, the main supporters of the President and the other elected officials include socialites, people with money, and those who have attained the highest form of education and came from prestigious institutions. It is then incorrect and unfair to label anyone as “bobotante” simply because of their political preference, whether or not in favor of or against the administration.
Social media influence
The youth have become highly active participants in every other issue, be it in politics or celebrity gossip. In fact, many political campaigns relied on social media to reach younger demographics, recognizing that traditional media outlets no longer hold the same sway over this generation.
While social media allows young individuals to engage with national issues more accessibly, it often amplifies misinformation. Not only that, but serious matters regarding the state of the country are being reduced to trending topics soon to be neglected in a week or less. It can be alarming that our youths rely on spliced videos to be able to form an opinion about a political candidate without carefully scrutinizing the information laid before them.
As we head towards the 2025 elections, it is clear that the youth will play a fundamental role in shaping this nation’s future. Their growing engagement in the political process, combined with their desire for change and better governance, reflects a generation that is not only politically aware but also deeply invested in securing a better future for themselves and their own communities.
The youth hold the power to influence the direction of the country through selecting leaders who are responsive to their concerns and have the initiative to build a society that the generations yet unborn would greatly benefit from.
Note: This article was first published in Volume XVIII, Issue I print edition of The Red Chronicles.