There are a million reasons to vote for a candidate, but my generation needs a better approach.

Even after the Democratic National Convention, Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign still depends on online chatter to boost her appeal. Many social media users, especially from Gen Z, have adopted Harris’s laugh, her comments on coconut trees, and singer Charli XCX’s “Brat” album as innovative ways to brand her campaign. And they are swooning for her, big time. (READ MORE: The Democrat Party is a Cult)

While virtual rhetoric does not indicate reality, the Harris camp uses these assets in their official messaging beyond the internet. The approach is working, as news outlets promote the campaign as a “joyful” alternative to today’s divisive atmosphere.

Impressions Count More Than Policies

The memes that Gen-Z Kamala supporters push are information shortcuts — bite-sized identifiers that help voters decide their candidate. You’d hope that, after getting a taste of what Kamala is like online, young voters would look into her political positions and decide if she truly represents their interests.

But that’s not how my generation operates, and Harris’s campaign managers are taking advantage of that.

To my generation, impressions are now more important than policy — and this campaign cycle is proof. Democratic Party elites ousted Biden for being “too old” to run. To some, Trump is “low energy” and a “dictator,” while progressive Kamala is “queen.” This branding tries to form the basis of public discourse surrounding the candidates and how it perceives them to govern.

While internet trends are valuable in defining candidates’ priorities, they lack detail on how they would each perform as the president of the United States. This works in Kamala’s favor. If young voters are content to follow the “vibes,” she doesn’t have to prove she’s the best person for the job. That’s why Harris’s campaign website doesn’t even have a policy section. Trump had to do it for her.

Gen Z Has Little Riding on the Election. They’re Still Voting.

Unlike older Americans, Gen Z doesn’t have home ownership fees, healthcare or insurance plans, or other tangible goods that could be affected by bad policy. Hence, Gen Z’s vote is more risky and emotionally driven — they can afford not to vote solely on policy.

But like any new consumer or voter base, Gen Z does not know what it wants. As a voting bloc, we understand the significance of our vote more than its rationale. We have consistently high turnout in midterms, special elections, and referendums, rivaling other generations in turnout. We are politically active and tend to favor Democrats by wide margins. (READ MORE: The Spectator P.M. Podcast Ep. 71: Does Vance Have a Moral Duty to Support a Federal Abortion Ban?)

But Gen Z’s motives for voting Democrat are shallow, swayed by Hollywood factions that exert enormous influence over political life. Entertainment personalities quickly rallied around the Harris campaign, performing at her rallies and hosting fundraisers. When my peers repost “Kamala is brat,” they feel included in a larger coalition that captures the moment and trajectory of America’s values.

The Harris campaign capitalizes on our fascination with celebrity culture to pave their way to the White House. It’s why they offer substantial sums of money to influencers to back the Democratic ticket. This discreet tactic, called astroturfing, creates the false appearance of grassroots support to form public opinion and woos Gen Z to partake in remix culture and digital activism to promote a platform we don’t fully understand.

It’s moves like this that have turned the most unpopular vice president in recent history, weighed down by ineffective leadership, into a “femininomenon” overnight.

So why is this working? Why does my generation seem to lack any interest in real policy discussion? The answer is in Gen Z’s attitude toward American life. Most of my peers feel aimless. They are prone to anxiety due to the overwhelming negativity of world affairs and reflect a top concern of emotional well-being above all else. Spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, they feel lonely and yearn for social connection — emotions offset or intensified by social media.

My generation’s hope lies in what originally made politics interesting. By becoming policy-minded, Gen Z can enhance their civic knowledge, understand their vote’s magnitude, and restore their life outlooks.

Maybe one day, none of my peers will care what Kenan Thompson says about Project 2025. But today, it’s a welcomed distraction from the more pressing stakes of this election. (READ MORE: American Campuses Threaten Students and the Nation)

Our politicians owe it to us to tune out the noise and detail their visions for America. Only then can our youth escape the vice grip of optics and truly become the next generation of powerful and educated voters.

Alex Rosado is a Gettysburg College alum, a Research Fellow for Horizon Info Consult, and a Contributor for Young Voices. Follow him on Twitter/X at @Alexprosado.