BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Kern County officials have only 75 days left to prepare for the Nov. 4 special election, but some young voters are already ready to exercise their right to vote.
In most years, election officials have more than a year to plan polling locations, find election workers, and count the votes.
However, with the recent decision to hold a special election, the situation may take a more youthful turn.
Ivan Juarez, a freshman at Cal State Bakersfield, said he is happy that he will be able to vote on November 4.
"It's unfortunate for states like Texas where they don't really have a say in the process," said Juarez.
Voters between the ages of 18 and 34 make up around 21% of likely California voters, according to the Public Policy Institute of California .
For Cal State Bakersfield junior Itzel Varges, the opportunity to vote in the special election is exciting — especially because Varges has been part of student government herself.
Varges said having redistricting in California and being able to vote on it is a "power move" for the voters.
I would love to vote," Varges said. "I would be voting, definitely, in agreement with the redistricting here in California.
Jisselle Sanchez, a junior at CSUB, said she was unaware of the upcoming election and the redistricting vote until she opened TikTok a few days ago. She said many of her peers also receive their political news from the app.
I think it's good that TikTok is bringing it out there for a younger audience," Sanchez said. "I didn't know much about it, but now because of TikTok and everything, they're telling us what would happen if this bill gets passed.
Ashley Saenz, a CSUB junior majoring in psychology, said she feels the same way about the younger generations' news consumption patterns.
"We're in the era of technology so that we're able to use platforms like TikTok, Instagram, even YouTube or news - it's just better," said Saenz.
According to Pew Research Center , four out of 10 people categorized under Gen Z used TikTok as a search engine for news as of 2024.
While the younger generation may use social media as a source of news, they also aren't shying away from utilizing the power of their voices.
"Stay up to date, stay educated, keep learning to make sure that we're doing better ... for not only us, but for the United States as a whole," said Saenz.
Use your right to vote," said Juarez. "I think voter apathy is honestly one of the biggest issues that we have in this country and I think it's important to go out and vote on Nov. 4.
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