Why It Matters
California’s June 2 primary election will determine the gubernatorial matchup for November, yet the state’s youngest voters — who represent one-fifth of the electorate — are poised to sit out in disproportionate numbers. Historical turnout data show voters aged 29 and younger consistently participate at lower rates than the general population in primary contests, a trend that could shape which candidates advance to the general election.
Generation Z, defined as voters aged 14 to 29, comprises nearly 21 percent of California’s eligible voting population. Despite targeted social media campaigns and college outreach by several gubernatorial candidates, youth participation in the primary remains uncertain.
What Happened
Multiple gubernatorial campaigns have deployed campus visits, social media partnerships, and content creator endorsements to engage young voters ahead of the primary. Xavier Becerra has visited 30 Young Democrats chapters across California since July 2025, according to Maiya De La Rosa, president of California Young Democrats. The organization endorsed Becerra based on his outreach and policy positions.
Katie Porter and Tom Steyer have conducted college campus tours statewide. Antonio Villaraigosa hired campaign staff primarily aged 22 to 26 to connect with younger demographics. The California College Democrats endorsed Becerra in March, citing his focus on student concerns.
Still, interest has not translated to guaranteed turnout. Rinu Nair, president of the History and Civic Engagement Club at De Anza College in Cupertino, said a campus meeting on the gubernatorial race drew 20 participants — the year’s highest attendance — but students expressed frustration with candidates’ records and questioned whether their votes mattered.
By the Numbers
A May 2026 survey by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies found 47 percent of young unlikely voters cited insufficient knowledge of issues and candidates as a barrier, compared to 38 percent of all unlikely voters. Thirty-one percent of young voters said they were too busy to vote, versus 19 percent of total unlikely voters.
Among Gen Z voters tracking the 2026 midterms, cost of living and inflation ranked as the top concern, followed by healthcare and housing costs, according to survey data from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University. Jobs, unemployment, and immigration rounded out the top five priorities.
Zoom Out
Low youth turnout in primary elections is not unique to California. Younger voters historically participate at higher rates in general elections, when presidential and statewide races draw broader attention and resources. The November ballot will include executive races beyond governor and ballot measures such as a proposed billionaire’s tax, which could drive increased participation.
Both Becerra and Steyer have partnered with content creators to reach young audiences through short-form video platforms. The campaigns have faced scrutiny over influencers who posted endorsements without disclosing payment, raising questions about transparency in digital outreach.
What’s Next
The June 2 primary will narrow the gubernatorial field to two candidates for the November general election. Campaigns are continuing campus visits and digital outreach in the final weeks before the primary. Whether those efforts translate to higher youth turnout will become clear when early vote counts are released after polls close.