The FFRF Action Fund, which engages and mobilizes the secular electorate, recently conducted a series of enlightening focus groups with religiously unaffiliated Gen-Z registered voters in Wisconsin.
Today’s youth are the least religious of any generation, with 43 percent of 18 to 29-year-olds having no religious identification.
The focus groups provided invaluable insights into the motivations, concerns and voting intentions of this critical demographic in an important swing state ahead of the 2024 election.
The findings reveal that Gen Z voters understand the importance of this election and, despite the lack of enthusiasm for the presidential candidates at the time of the focus groups, it did not quell their interest in voting in November. They were nevertheless committed to voting based on which candidate(s) best represent their values.
They fundamentally feel their voices are not being heard in the current zeitgeist that’s dominated by the loudest, most extreme voices. Gen Z voters are not apathetic but are profoundly concerned about the direction of the country and remain cautiously optimistic that progress is still possible. Despite their concerns about the direction of the country, they still expressed strong interest in voting this year, seeing voting as the great equalizer to having their voices heard. They also believe their vote carries more weight as voters in a swing state — and this presents a compelling reason to vote.
The focus groups included a range of young Gen-Z “Nones” (religiously unaffiliated) from recent college graduates to working-class single mothers struggling with low-paying jobs. They view voting as a long-term process essential for addressing the issues that matter most to them and these include affordable housing, civil rights, and educational opportunities for all. Many of the same issues that are top priorities for voters writ large are issues for Gen Z voters as well. Contrary to some punditry, economic issues weigh most heavily on the minds of Gen Z voters, as they feel the economy is fundamentally not working for everyday Americans.
The most effective messages for Gen Z voters rationally champion the issues. Given the current starkly polarized political environment — which Gen Z voters feel is stifling their voices — antagonistic messages that evoke an “us vs. them” power struggle does more to alienate than empower voters.
“Our research confirms that non-religious Gen-Z voters are strategically engaged in the electoral process,” comments Annie Laurie Gaylor, president of FFRF Action Fund. “They see voting as a powerful tool to shape the future on key issues like affordability and personal freedoms.”
This focus group work complements the recent announcement from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, FFRF Action Fund’s parent organization, that it is underwriting four campus organizing fellows at key universities in Wisconsin. These fellows will concentrate on voter registration and securing pledges to vote from students, beginning their work at the end of August and continuing until early November. Their efforts aim to ensure that young, secular voters are well-represented in the upcoming election.
The FFRF Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization that develops and advocates for legislation, regulations, and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church. It also advocates for the rights and views of nonbelievers, endorses candidates for political office, and publicizes the views of elected officials concerning religious liberty issues. The FFRF Action Fund serves as the advocacy arm of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which has more than 40,000 members and works to keep religion out of government and educate the public about nontheism.