Recent polling indicates that Vice President Kamala Harris is leading former President Donald Trump by double digits among voters under 30, highlighting a significant shift in the political landscape as the 2024 election approaches. This trend is particularly evident in North Carolina, a key swing state where young voters are expected to play a crucial role.

Anderson Clayton, the 26-year-old chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, has been actively engaging with college students across the state, emphasizing the importance of mobilizing young voters. Clayton noted that the Democratic Party has historically underemphasized this demographic, which he believes could be pivotal in changing the election outcome. He aims to replicate the successful youth coalition-building strategies seen in Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign.

Despite Trump's recent gains among Gen Z men, Democrats maintain a strong advantage with young women, with Harris reportedly leading by over 30 points in this group. This gender divide is underscored by the enthusiasm of young women like Chantelle Chestnut, a first-time voter and HBCU graduate, who cites abortion and women's rights as critical issues influencing her decision to support Harris.

With approximately 40 million Gen Z voters eligible to cast ballots this year, their participation could be decisive in North Carolina, a state Trump narrowly won in 2020 by about 75,000 votes. As the election nears, both parties are keenly aware of the potential impact of young voters on the overall outcome.