Over the last decade, SheKnows has had an ongoing series of discussions with members of Gen Z to gauge how they feel about serious and substantial topics such as politics, gender and racial equality, and women’s rights. We’ve checked in with them as they’ve grown from energetic kids to insightful teens to young adults poised to make their mark on the world. These evolving conversations have provided a fascinating glimpse into their opinions over the years, but more importantly, how they’re feeling now that they’re old enough to vote — and playing a pivotal part in choosing our next President.

Gen Z Voters: By the Numbers — & Beyond

Nearly half of Gen Z voters (45 percent in the general electorate and 47 percent of newly eligible voters) are people of color, making Gen Z more racially and ethnically diverse than previous generations. But their diversity isn’t all that sets them apart — not by a long shot. Gen Z has spent their teen and young adult years trying to navigate a complex web of interconnected crises, including systemic racism, gender-based violence, crippling student debt, and erosion of reproductive and gender rights, set against the ominous backdrop of climate change. They’ve seen only elections that feel polarizing and divisive, if not downright hostile. Older members of Gen Z report feeling disillusioned by the surge of negativity, misinformation, and harmful rhetoric that has dominated the past three election cycles; they’re tired and cynical, skeptical of each party’s true intentions.

Because of this, the resulting fear and uncertainty that many Gen Z-ers feel for their future has made them especially engaged in social activism, and deeply connected to the causes they’re passionate about. “They lean less into party divisions and are particularly motivated by the issues,” Emily Slatkow, communications director for the progressive youth voting organization NextGen America, said in an article for NBC News.

A recent survey revealed that almost one-third of Gen Z (32 percent) report being regularly active in social justice work, as opposed to just 24 percent of millennials — a number that goes up to roughly 40 percent among college-aged Gen Zers. For 62 percent of Gen Z activists, moral conviction is the top driver; they’re compelled by a deep sense of what is right. Another key motivator, cited by over half, is a personal connection — either their own experiences or those of close friends and family — which sparks their passion for specific social causes.

Back in 2020, a Pew Survey found that 22 percent of registered voters aged 18 to 23 — the oldest members of Gen Z — approved of how Donald Trump was handling his job as President, while about three-quarters disapproved (77 percent). In a September 2024 survey by NBC News, half of Gen Z voters say they’re planning to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in November, while one-third say they’ll vote for former President Donald Trump; still a bigger gap for Harris, but not quite the majority seen in the 2020 election. The Fall 2024 Harvard Youth Poll, conducted by the Institute of Politics (IOP) at the Harvard Kennedy School, saw Harris leading Trump by a large margin — 64 percent versus 32 percent among likely voters.

Interestingly, while both genders are leaning heavily toward Harris, the rate of female support has far surpassed males; the gender gap, which stood at 17 points in the Spring poll, has nearly doubled and is now at 30 points. “There is this unprecedented gap in Gen Z, in the under 30s, in terms of political affiliation and voting intention. But it’s also worth emphasizing that more of that gap may be driven by the move of young women to the left than it is of young men to the right, Richard V. Reeves, author of the book Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It, told SheKnows. “I think that for most young men it’s actually more a question of feeling quite politically homeless. They don’t see much on the left for them, for sure. And I don’t necessarily think they’re wrong about that.”

But if talk doesn’t turn into action, none of these statistics will matter one iota, which brings us to the biggest question: Will Gen Z show up at the polls? According to the Harvard Youth Poll, absolutely. “Fifty-six percent of young Americans tell us they plan to ‘definitely’ vote in the upcoming election,” the findings state. “Among registered voters, the number rises to 72 percent.” This number has been bolstered by the surprising mid-race candidate swap. Before Harris took over as the Democratic nominee, Gen Z’s motivation to vote was much more lukewarm. “What I’m hearing from my generation, or my peers, is that people aren’t going to vote at all because they’re not feeling satisfied or represented by either of the big options,” Amelia, 21, told SheKnows prior to Biden’s departure from the race. Now, it’s a totally different story.

“Much of this increased enthusiasm among [Gen Z] Democrats is tied to Kamala Harris as their party’s nominee,” says the Harvard Poll. “More than four-in-five (81 percent) of Harris supporters in a direct match-up with Trump are enthusiastic about voting for her, nearly doubling the 43 percent of Biden supporters who said the same in March.” It can’t hurt that Harris’s campaign has intentionally set out to appeal largely to Gen Z voters; after all, teens do spend an average of 8.5 hours a day on screens, swiping through their social media.

The enthusiasm for Harris may be renewed, but it certainly isn’t new. “I hope that a woman could one day be President. I hope that a person of color could be President again,” Gen Z panelist Reed told us in 2020. “And I think that one thing we need to address is this country’s issue with women in office.” And in the same year, fellow panelist Jack mused, almost prophetically, “I don’t know what’s going to happen in four years. I think [Kamala Harris] would be a good President. I’d support her. I’d be able to vote then.”

Well, folks, “then” is now — and it’s Gen Z’s time to be heard. Will they realize the full potential of their impact and turn out in record numbers to vote? It’s a question we’ve waited for the past 10 years to answer … and in two weeks, we’ll all know. In the meantime, watch the full video to see the evolution of these first-time voters.

As Americans, being involved in the democratic process is one of the most important ways we can shape the future of our country. With the 2024 presidential race heating up, this election is truly one for the ages. We once again have the historic opportunity to elect a woman to the highest office in the land, and Vice President Kamala Harris is an incredibly qualified and dedicated public servant who has spent her career fighting for justice and equality. If you’re a supporter of Kamala’s candidacy, now is the perfect time to show your enthusiasm and spread the word with some of the best Kamala Harris 2024 merch available online.

From stylish T-shirts to bold buttons and yard signs, there’s no shortage of creative and empowering ways to show your support for Kamala Harris. Whether you want to wear your support with a classic baseball cap, share with your kiddo at story time, or display it with pride in your lawn, these items make a statement and let everyone know you’re part of this exciting movement. Plus, picking up a few pieces of merch is a great way to start conversations about why Kamala’s vision for America resonates with you, and why this election matters.

No matter who you support, participating in the election is your right, your privilege, and your responsibility as an American. Voting is one of the most powerful ways to advocate for your beliefs and shape the direction of the country. So while you’re stocking up on your favorite 2024 campaign gear, make sure you’re registered to vote and have a plan for Election Day. Your voice matters, and this is your chance to make it heard in the most important way possible!

Kamala Harris for The People Hat

$7.99

Buy Now

The Kamala Harris for The People baseball cap is perfect to wear when volunteering for Harris-Walz campaign or when just running errands. Made of a blend of cotton and polyester, each cap undergoes a special washing process to achieve a unique, distressed appearance.

---

Kamala Harris 2024 for President Pins

$6.99

Buy Now

Each set of these Kamala Harris buttons contains six different designs, ranging from classic portraits to iconic slogans. At 2.3 inches in diameter, you can wear them on tote bags, hats, clothes, and more.

---

Kamala Harris 47th President T-shirt

$19.99

Buy Now

Whether you’re a dedicated Democrat or simply support Harris’s presidency bid, wear this design proudly to show your enthusiasm and commitment to her historic campaign. This lightweight cotton blend tee has a classic fit, double-needle sleeve, and bottom hem.

---

Kamala Harris Pink Garden Flag

$8.99

Buy Now

Display your support for Kamala Harris as president with this pink garden flag. Made of thick, weather- and fade-resistant material, this sign has the design printed on both sides. (Flag stand not included.)

---

Harris Waltz 2024 Unity Over Division T-Shirt

$17.99

Buy Now

This lightweight cotton blend T-shirt highlights the Harris-Walz campaign’s focus on unifying our country. Available in a variety of colors, it has a classic fit, double-needle sleeve and bottom hem.

---

My Little Golden Book About Kamala Harris

$5.99

Buy Now

Celebrate the first female Vice President Kamala Harris — and possible first female President! — with this collectible Little Golden Book biography, which tells her inspiring life story alongside gorgeous original illustrations. Like all Little Golden Book biographies, this book features the iconic gold-foil design.

---

Kamala Removes Stubborn Orange Stains T-Shirt

$16.99

Buy Now

This humorous T-shirt will get conversations started! It’s available in a variety of colors and fits for men and women.

---

Just hours after Taylor Swift publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris on Instagram, fan-made ‘Swifties for Kamala’ merch started flooding the internet. When I opened TikTok during my lunch break for my daily mindless doom scroll, I was shocked at how many t-shirts, lawn signs, friendship bracelets, and hats with ‘Swifties for Kamala’ splashed across them were popping up on my For You Page. While Donald Trump was busy voicing his disapproval of Swift to Fox News, Swift fans were hard at work creating every type of creative merch imaginable. Want to see the best ‘Swifties for Kamala’ merch? We’ve got you covered.

From handmade items on Etsy to must-have friendship bracelets on Amazon, here are the internet’s best ‘Swifties for Kamala’ merch selections.

LOWEST PRICE

Heurfelic Kamala Harris 2024 Bracelets Merch for President Vote Election Kamala Harris Merchandise

Buy Now On Amazon $6.98

Swifties are known to exchange friendship bracelets at Eras Tour concerts and Swift’s now-boyfriend Travis Kelce even asked her out via friendship bracelet.

---

FOR CAT LOVERS

Kamalas a Relaxing Thought Mug – Swifts for Kamala Harris 2024 Coffee Mug – Large 15 oz Ceramic Mug

$22.00

Buy Now On Amazon

A known cat lover, Swift is the cat mom to her cats, Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button. We recommend sipping out of this mug while enjoying the karma of a cat purring in your lap.

---

Taylor For Harris 2024 Charm Bracelet Support Kamala Harris T-Shirt

$16.99

Buy Now On Amazon

This Taylor for Harris 2024 t-shirt comes in sizes s-6x and is available in 10 colors.

---

Taylor Swift Kamala Harris Endorsement Photo

Buy Now $28

This t-shirt by August and Archer on Etsy features the photo Swift used to announce her endorsement on Instagram.

---

In My Kamala Era Groovy Harris For Madam President 2024 T-Shirt

$13.38

Buy Now On Amazon

---

We Are Not Going Back Like Ever T-Shirt

Buy Now $7.24+

This top-rated t-shirt comes in a wide variety of colors and sizes up to 4x.

---

Who's Afraid Of Little Old Me

Buy Now $22.99+

This design comes from Good note Print Co. on Etsy.

---

Swifties for Kamala Yard Sign

This Swifties for Kamala yard sign is currently one of Etsy’s most in-demand items.

---

For more information on your voting rights and to register to vote (or update your registration), visit vote.org.

Before you go, click to see all of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s cutest PDA moments.

Kamala Harris‘ cool, calm and collected attitude towards Donald Trump in September 10’s presidential debate seems to be going over well with political analysts and voters on social media alike.

The two presidential candidates faced off in their first debate, televised on NBC from Philadelphia and some of the moments that spoke volumes were moments when Harris didn’t speak at all.

Related story For the Last Time, No, ‘Post-Birth’ Abortion Is Not a Thing

While Trump fumbled his way through outlandish claims about Democrats’ abortion stances and immigrants, many of which were fact-checked and proven to be false on the spot, Harris displayed a level of composure and restraint that is rare to see in politics since Trump’s 2016 campaign.

Early on, Harris proved that she would not be provoked, smirking and placing her hand on her chin as Trump labelled her (and her father) a “Marxist.” The now-viral moment belittled the former president without Harris having to speak, she didn’t even have to dignify the comment with a response for social media users to widely repost the moment.

When it was her turn to speak, the Vice President didn’t waste time confirming her ideology or dwell on his unsubstantiated claims. She quickly turned the topic to one of the elections most contentious issues — abortion rights.

Harris claimed a Trump presidency could lead to a nationwide abortion ban with increased monitoring on women’s bodies. “That is immoral,” she declared. “One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government and Donald Trump certainly should not be telling a woman what to do with her body.”

While Trump repeatedly ducked and dived away from actually addressing his opponent by name, Harris frequently turned to face him and address him directly, emphasizing her strength and refusal to cower to his intimidation tactics.

Harris has used such a tactic before, gaining viral attention back in 2020 when she shut down Trump’s then-running mate Mike Pence with a raised hand, telling him: “Mr. Vice President, I’m speaking.” As a woman with a lengthy political career, she knows the importance of standing up to men in her field.

“She knew exactly was she was doing,” CBS News contributor Ed Gordon said of Harris’ facial expressions. “She understood the split-screen.”

While Trump attempted to distance himself from the Republican party’s Project 2025 and brag about his efforts as president during the pandemic, Harris shook her head and looked pained, strategically taking notes with a slight smile, unfazed.

The decision to mute mics while the other person was speaking might have started out as an effort to control the opposing candidates but Harris made it work entirely in her favor.

For more information on your voting rights and to register to vote (or update your registration), visit vote.org.

Before you go, click here to see Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff’s big blended family.

A debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump was bound to be chaotic, but when the two presidential candidates squared up for the first time last night, the conversation definitely went in directions we couldn’t have predicted. Trump made outrageous statements about immigrants eating pets (?) in Ohio (??) and confidently said he holds “the most incredible rallies in the history of politics.” However, we know all too well that Trump’s claims can be as dangerous as they are laughable, sowing misinformation designed to confuse and sway voters. So one ridiculous claim we have to debunk is his repeated assertion that Democrats support “post-birth” abortions.

Trump’s comments came after a question from moderator Linsey Davis, who cited Trump’s waffling stance on abortion — he’s gone from bragging he was the “most pro-life president ever” to stating that a six-week abortion ban is too short, to changing his mind and saying he would support a six-week abortion ban. “Vice President Harris says that women shouldn’t trust you on the issue of abortion because you’ve changed your position so many times,” Davis stated. “Therefore, why should they trust you?”

In response, Trump talked about “abortion[s] in the ninth month” and the former governor of Virginia, pediatric neurologist Ralph Northam, whose comments on caring for an infant born with fatal complications led to controversy in 2019. (“The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if that’s what the mother and the family desired. And then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother,” Northam said at the time. In later comments, he explained that as a pediatrician, he’s counseled families in difficult situations and accused of Republicans of using those situations to score political points, per NPR.)

“He said the baby will be born and we will decide what to do with the baby,” Trump said in the debate. “In other words, we’ll execute the baby.” He said that his support (for now!) of the six-week abortion ban stemmed from how “radical” the Democrats are about abortions. “[Harris’s] vice presidential pick says abortion in the ninth month is absolutely fine,” Trump went on, referring to vice presidential nominee Tim Walz. “He also says execution after birth, it’s execution, no longer abortion, because the baby is born, is okay. And that’s not okay with me.” Walz has never made such comments, per the Minnesota Star Tribune.

Davis, the moderator, responded simply. “There is no state in this country where it is legal to kill a baby after it’s born,” she said.

She’s right (of course!), because a “post-birth” abortion would be infanticide, which, yes, again, is illegal. “Claims of abortions occurring “moments before birth” or even “after birth” are false,” KFF reported earlier this year. “These scenarios do not occur, nor are they legal in the United States.” So why are Republicans using them as a talking point?

By going back and forth on abortion, Trump is trying to straddle the line. He’s looking to appease the anti-abortion coalition in his base without alienating more moderate voters who support abortion. Republicans know that abortion is a bad issue for them. They’ve cemented themselves as the anti-abortion party in a country where 63 percent of adults believe it should be legal in all or most cases, per a Pew Research Center poll earlier this year. Trying to paint Democrats as the “radical” ones around abortion seems like their way of justifying their backwards stance on the issue.

And, for the record, not only do “post-birth” abortions not happen (again, that would be infanticide!), but even later abortions are rare. Pew Research Center found that 93 percent of abortions occur during the first trimester, with just 1 percent taking place after 21 weeks. A 2022 report in Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health found that third-trimester abortions are “substantially more expensive [and] difficult to obtain” than first-trimester abortions, and usually only occur due to “new information about the pregnancy” like serious fetal health issues or even belatedly learning of the pregnancy; or due to barriers that prevented an earlier abortion, such as cost, stigma, and lack of provider.

In other words, late abortions typically only occur under exceptional circumstances. Abortions that happen after birth? Not. A. Thing.

Trump went on to avoid questions about whether he would veto a national abortion ban, which Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance has said would happen. (Vance himself, though, is personally opposed to abortion.) “I won’t have to,” Trump said, asserting that Congress would never be able to pass a national abortion ban, though he stated in a March radio interview that a 15-week national abortion ban would be “very reasonable.” He later noted, weirdly, that he “didn’t discuss” the major topic with his running made. “JD — I don’t mind if he has a certain view… but I really didn’t [speak with him].”

For her part, Harris took the opportunity to slam Trump’s comments. “Nowhere in America is a woman carrying a pregnancy to term and asking for an abortion,” Harris said. “That is not happening. It’s insulting to the women of America.” She stated that she supports “reinstating the protections of Roe v. Wade” while detailing the “unconscionable” effects of the abortion bans now in place across the country. “The majority of Americans believe in a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body,” she concluded.

Abortion care is healthcare and needs to be protected — and that includes debunking all the deliberately dangerous misinformation around it.

For more information on your voting rights and to register to vote (or update your registration), visit vote.org.

Before you go, read up on these stars who have opened up about their own abortion experiences:

Vice President Kamala Harris has been in a leadership role for much of her career as a prosecutor, attorney general of California, a U.S. Senator, and now as Vice President of the United States. She’s seen the sexism and racism in her political career play out as pundits criticize her competency as if she isn’t qualified for the role, or they pick at the minutiae, like her hearty laugh. 

Now, The Washington Post is entering the chat with claims that her “perceived weaknesses as a candidate and elected official” is “her demanding management style.” Donald Trump’s leadership style — notably brash, impatient, and sometimes cruel — doesn’t seem to have the same interest from certain press members, so why is Kamala Harris being picked on? It feels eerily similar to the experience Meghan Markle had during her time at the palace.

Who could forget the 2018 headlines about her “demanding” 5 a.m. emails to the royal staff? The Duchess of Sussex was an early riser with a work ethic, but there’s never been any proof that she expected her employees to be up working at that hour. She was getting a head start on the day, but that was not how the royal family worked. “Meghan can be difficult. She has very high standards and is used to working in a Hollywood environment,” a source told The Mirror. “However, there’s a different degree of respect in the royal household and Kate has always been very careful about how she has acted around staff.”

That was over five years ago, but royal fans can see how the seeds were planted for the Kate Middleton feud in the campaign to make Meghan look bad. It seems like Kamala Harris is getting the same treatment, but former First Lady Michelle Obama has already warned the public not to fall for the false narrative. She noted at the Democratic National Convention in August that people “are going to do everything they can to distort” Kamala Harris’ career achievements. 

The Kamala Harris campaign is doing its best to avoid giving Donald Trump and various media outlets the attention they seek with their criticisms. She prefers to keep focused on winning the election in November, which is bound to be a close race. She knows she could be making history as the first woman president in United States history, but she’s downplaying that aspect during the campaign. As Axios pointed out, gender is “deeply infused in this race,” but Kamala Harris isn’t interested in making that a campaign hot topic — other people are.

For more information on your voting rights and to register to vote (or update your registration), visit vote.org.

Before you go, click here to see Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff’s big blended family.

Donald Trump isn’t having a good week now that the Democrats are officially calling out his behavior during the Democratic National Convention. Mindy Kaling was just one of the public figures pointing out that the former president’s constant questioning of Vice President Kamala Harris’ background is nothing but nonsense.

Back in July, Donald Trump posted a 2019 video of Kaling and Kamala Harris cooking a Masala Dosa recipe as a nod to their South Indian heritage on Truth Social. The former president made false claims about the current vice president, stating, “Crazy Kamala is saying she’s Indian, not Black. This is a big deal. Stone cold phony. She uses everybody, including her racial identity!”

Well, Kaling took issue with his false statement because Kamala Harris is both Black and South Indian. She wanted to make sure Donald Trump understood that two things can be true at once. “I am an incredibly famous Gen Z actress who you might recognize from The Office, The Mindy Project, or as the woman who courageously outed Kamala Harris as Indian in an Instagram cooking video,” the 45-year-old Gen X actress joked from the stage on Wednesday, Aug. 21.

“She wasn’t ‘Madam Vice President’ then, she was my senator,” Kaling continued. “And we were filming a video where she came to my home to cook dosas, a South Indian dish.” Kamala Harris “was so much better than me,” The Office star quipped. “As she gently corrected my sloppy dosa making, she was complimenting me every step of the way—making sure that my daughter Kit knew how good of a cook I am. When she finally bit into my dosa, she looked at me and said, ‘Mmm, really good!’ And then never took another bite again.”

OK, so we might not want to eat Kaling’s cooking, but Donald Trump might want to stop spreading tall tales that Kamala Harris “happened to turn Black.” That happened at the National Association of Black Journalists conference in July, and the Democrats seem to be tired of his narrative. So, they’re calling him out while protecting Kamala Harris in the process. The pushback on Donald Trump is working, especially for voters who have a mixed-race background like the vice president.

“Everyone thinks we’re in this post-racial time, but Trump proved why classes and courses still need to be taught,” Smith King, a Mexican and Black voter told The Guardian. “We’re really excited to mobilize and show up for her.” That might not be the message Donald Trump wants to hear, but Kaling’s criticism of the former president is heard loudly and clearly by many Americans who are casting their votes this fall.

For more information on your voting rights and to register to vote (or update your registration), visit vote.org.

Before you go, click here to see Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff’s big blended family.

Michelle Obama was ready for night two at the Democratic National Convention. It felt like she’d been waiting for the perfect moment to share her influential words, rally the crowds at the United Center in Chicago, and the voters watching at home — that time was Tuesday evening. Not only did she own that moment, but she also dressed the part in a next-level power suit that was a total game-changer for political fashion.

Styled by Meredith Koop, the former first lady fit the part when she commanded the stage in a sleeveless navy suit designed by Monse, an indie fashion house created by Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim. The impeccable tailoring showed off her fit physique and her signature sculpted arms — Michelle came ready for battle, and she won the crowds over.

The outfit comes from Monse’s Resort 2025 collection, and it was inspired by the designers’ interest in sci-fi and aliens, according to WWD. That futuristic appeal was on display and mirrored Michelle’s look toward the future of the U.S. “Something wonderfully magical is in the air, isn’t it?. A familiar feeling that’s been buried too deep for too long,” she said on Tuesday, Aug. 20. “You know what I’m talking about? It’s the contagious power of hope! America, hope is making a comeback.”

Garcia described the collection as “rebellious” and that’s exactly how Michelle felt up on that stage. With her hair in braids and a suit that looked like armor, she was dressing for herself and the new era of politics that will be ushered in if Vice President Kamala Harris is elected to the White House on Nov. 5. Social media users also praised Michelle’s look with fashion historian Shelby Ivey Christie summing up on her X account, “Michelle Obama’s Monse reconstructed suit is perf! — Bearing her arms + a reimagining of a men’s suit. What a statement.”

In her 2020 Netflix documentary based on her memoir, Becoming, Michelle revealed that her post-White House fashion choices have been “freeing” and that’s been reflected in her wardrobe evolution. “Now that we’re out of the White House, not to be viewed, judged, and parceled by every other person on the planet yeah it is — it’s better,” she explained. That freedom of choice gave voters a true glimpse at her rise as one of the most formidable voices in the Democratic Party.

For more information on your voting rights and to register to vote (or update your registration), visit vote.org.

Before you go, click here to see Barack & Michelle Obama’s sweetest public appearances!

.

If there is one thing we can nail down in JD Vance’s often-inconsistent political stances, it is that women’s rights don’t stand a chance if he gets voted in as Vice President under Donald Trump. However, Kamala Harris’ VP pick Tim Walz is helping to bolster the Democratic ticket as the far more appealing option for women and those who care about women in the 2024 Presidential election. 

Harris, who has remained committed to expanding childcare access, protecting reproductive rights and improving maternal health care throughout her time in office, has become a promising choice for anyone concerned about what women’s rights could look like under another Trump term.

Walz already shook up the heated 2024 presidential race when he went viral last week for calling the men on the Republican ticket “weird” — a simple but effective line of attack that calls Trump and Vance’s policies what they are and erodes the credibility of their regressive mission.

Women and parents are getting a new glimmer of hope with Walz’s name on the Democratic ticket and his stances on key issues surrounding child care, reproductive health care and education prove why.

Walz’s Stance on Affordable Child Care

Vance has shown his total disregard for parents’ need for affordable child care several times in recent memory. He called universal child care a “class war against normal people” back in 2021. In the same series of tweets, he also vilified working parents, accusing them of wanting to “shunt their kids into crap daycare so they can enjoy more ‘freedom’ in the paid labor force.”

More recently, after expressing his view that people with children should have more voting access and calling women who don’t have kids “childless cat ladies,” Vance failed to show up to a Senate vote on crucial legislation that would expand the child tax credit, proving that his supposed goal of protecting families is all talk and no action.

Walz, however, has made moves to ease the burden of child care. In May 2024, the Democratic Governor announced $6.2 million in new grants to expand child care across Minnesota, which is expected to increase child care program capacity by 2,241 slots. 

“Making Minnesota the best state for children and families starts with child care,” said Walz in a statement at the time. “Accessible, quality child care is critical not only for strong child development, but also for the economic wellbeing of the families in our state. These grants will increase access to child care and help more Minnesotans enter the workforce, growing our labor force and economy.”

Walz is a supporter of state-paid family and medical leave. According to CBS, in 2023, he signed into law a new program that will allow workers up to 12 weeks off per year with partial pay to care for a newborn child or a sick family member, and up to 12 weeks to recover from their own serious illness. 

Walz’s Stance on Education

Beyond child care, parents can celebrate Walz’s hopeful vision for education in America. Walz has been vocally critical of the Republican party’s attacks on educational access. “These are weird people on the other side. They want to take books away. They want to be in your exam room,” Walz told MSNBC last month during an interview. “That’s what it comes down to. Don’t, you know, get sugarcoating this. These are weird ideas.”

The budget Walz signed in Minnesota last year included a major boost in funding for schools and a $1,750 per-child annual tax credit that soughted to reduce childhood poverty in the state.

“We’re going to put it behind our teachers so we can educate our children,” Walz, who was a high school history teacher for 10 years said of the large budget surplus secured by the state, according to Star Tribune.

In 2023, Walz enacted a universal free school meals program that provides free breakfast and lunch to K-12 students whose schools participate in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. The program is not income based and has been praised by local advocates who estimate that around 17% of Minnesota children are food-insecure.

Also in 2023, Walz signed a free college tuition program in Minnesota. The program guarantees families earning less than $80,000 a year qualify for free public college and don’t have to take on debt to cover fees. The program provides last-dollar scholarships, closing gaps between the less-than-sufficient financial aid packages students receive and the actual cost of college attendance.

Walz’s Stance on Abortion Access

While Vance has compared abortion to slavery and supports a national ban on all abortions with no exceptions, Walz’s recent history on issues related to reproductive rights speaks for itself.

In January 2023, he signed a bill into law that codifies abortion as a “fundamental right” in the state, making it the first state to do so after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. 

“This is very simple, very right to the point,” Walz said on CNN Tonight after the decision. “We trust women in Minnesota, and that’s not what came out of the [Supreme Court’s] decision, so I think it’s critically important that we build a fire wall.”

Then, in April 2023, he doubled down with more reproductive health care and gender-affirming care bills which will shield people from legal action that other states may take over such care, according to CNN. He previously signed legislation stating that state agencies must protect and support access to gender-affirming care and signed legislation banning so-called “conversion therapy.”

In March of this year, he also discussed plans to expand Minnesota’s abortion legislation to protect those seeking in vitro fertilization treatment in the wake of an Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling that embryos created through IVF should be considered children. Walz also opened up about his wife’s experience with IVF while expressing his commitment to protecting fertility treatment.

Of course, Harris is still the central name on the ticket and her own history (and future) on these issues will matter more to voters now than ever before. As Christopher J. Devine, the co-author of Do Running Mates Matter? The Influence of Vice Presidential Candidates in Presidential Elections, tells Katie Couric Media: “Our big conclusion is that running mates matter primarily in terms of what they tell you about the presidential candidate.”

“So picking someone who’s credible is a good signal to voters that you’re serious about governing and you’re not just trying to win an election.”

With women’s issues being one of the many central issues at stake on November’s ballot, Walz and Harris’ commitment to protecting our rights will be a relief to many voters and their race to win just got even more heated.

For more information on your voting rights and to register to vote (or update your registration), visit vote.org.

Before you go, click here to see the biggest presidential scandals in US History.