Gen Z voters favor billionaire tax and no ID, but older Californians cast more ballots

A generational split is defining California's November elections, with young voters supporting a billionaire tax and rejecting voter ID requirements while older residents favor the opposite approach.

A September report from the Public Policy Institute of California found that 76% of likely voters aged 18 to 29 plan to support Proposition 40, the wealth tax. By comparison, only 36% of voters aged 55 and older intend to back the measure. Middle-aged voters fall in between, with 59% in favor.

Stanley Shi, a 19-year-old student at UC Irvine, described the economic reality driving this preference. He noted that older voters often own property and hold more wealth, whereas he owns nothing. Consequently, he sees the tax as unlikely to affect him personally. Federal Reserve data supports this view, showing that the share of national wealth held by the oldest residents has doubled in the last 37 years, while the share held by the youngest has been cut in half.

The gap extends to Proposition 39, which would require government-issued ID to vote. According to polling by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, only 27% of likely voters under 30 support the measure. In contrast, 46% of voters aged 50 to 64 back it. Carla Fuentes, 28, president of the Los Angeles County Young Democrats, called the proposition a misstep that would disproportionately burden low-income voters, students, and women changing their names.

Despite strong opinions on specific issues, Gen Z voters show mixed enthusiasm for the gubernatorial candidates. A September Politico poll of 2,418 registered voters found that 34% of Gen Z respondents viewed Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra favorably. Meanwhile, 57% viewed Republican candidate Steve Hilton unfavorably. Becerra has appealed to young voters by promising policies for first-time homeownership and affordable healthcare. Hilton argues his plan for jobs and $3-per-gallon gas addresses the affordability crisis directly.

Youth political organizations are growing in response to these issues. The Young Democratic Socialists of America has increased its nationwide membership by over 50% in the last year. Turning Point USA has also expanded its presence on California campuses, with 78 of its 119 state chapters founded after the death of its founder, Charlie Kirk, last year.

Demographic numbers present a challenge for young voters. Adults aged 18 to 29 make up 30% of the state's adult population but only 21% of likely voters. Adults 55 and older represent 36% of adults but nearly 50% of expected voters. Athena Burciaga, 25, a computer science student at Cal State Monterey Bay, said young people feel politics has not addressed their needs, leading to a sentiment that asks why they should care if the government does not.