Yes, and?: Philadelphia’s Gen Z Voters aren’t taking just “Yes” for an answer 

Issues over Parties 

In the summer of 2024, Love Now Media conducted a series of interviews with Gen Z voters here in Philadelphia to gauge the matters that are top of mind. Based on those conversations, young voters in Philly want to see solutions to drug use, homelessness, gun violence, and education. In our research on national trends, we found that one of the biggest concerns amongst young voters was also gun violence. When the Love Now Media team asked what he’d like to see change in Philly, Bashir put it simply: “Obviously, it sounds cliche, but I feel like it’s the gun violence that’s the major [problem].” 

Considering the influx of gun violence around the country – with more than fifty school shooting incidents in America this year – one might believe that things aren’t being done to address gun violence. This isn’t entirely true, though.To counteract the disappointment, local officials in Philadelphia are putting in the work to address the violence. 

Rep. G. Roni Green of District 190, who is up for election this year, has worked exceptionally hard to address gun violence in Allegheny West. Rep. Green has consistently voted in favor of protection orders, universal background checks, and regulated firearm possession. The District Attorney of Philadelphia, an elected official, has awarded almost $4 million in grants to anti-violence groups in and around Philly that are working to address the root causes of gun violence. When asked about a solution she’d like to see, interviewee Kayla stated, “I feel like if we had more engagement in the community, like things people could do, they’ll change their mind [about] getting guns and do something else with their time.” 

As of September 30, 2024, gun violence in Philadelphia is down 40% from 2023. Though this is an encouraging statistic, the relationship between violent crime and poverty is a strong one. The address of the two cannot be mutually exclusive and consequently cost of living is consistently a common concern amongst young voters.

With over 20% of Philadelphia’s families living below the poverty line, the city holds the title for ‘America’s poorest big city.’ The title implies a sort of careless culpability, one perpetrated by the media and internalized by citizens. Sonrisa, whom we spoke to this summer, shared that “if people have a basic standard of living, that’s supported monetarily by the government, we could actually kind of realize our best selves. It’s just hard to maintain that, it shouldn’t be, though.There’s enough to go around.”

Our reputation gets to people – even I can admit that when my aunt lovingly refers to my hometown as “Filthydelphia,” I get a little queasy. These bad news and scary statistics deter people from participating in elections, especially when they are made to feel that their experiences aren’t a priority to the running candidates.

For first time voters, it is easy to be caught in the slew of media hoping to convince you that all bets are to be placed on the presidential election. Though this might seem effective in getting people to vote, if voters don’t see themselves well represented, then it’s easy to feel like hope is lost. But it’s not. 

In 2023, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted 103-100 in favor of  a bill to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $15. The bill did not pass the Pennsylvania State Senate, but several of those senate seats are up for election in 2024. Meanwhile, Senator Bob Casey is the most outspoken Democrat in the Senate addressing what he calls ‘greedflation.’ Casey authored four reports on the issue, and invited Pennsylvanians to testify in the National House of Representatives on the effect that corporate greed has had on their lives and families.