Generation Z-ers voices will be heard this election day and the Erie County Student Coalition is part of the reason why.

“Gen Z is there we are trying to make a change our vote does matter,” said Patricia Rinderly, Erie County Student Coalition Member and Gannon University student.

The Erie County Student Coalition is a locally based non-partisan group of student activists. Members range from high school to college students and right now they’re main focus is to get young people to the polls through social media advocacy.

“Our generation uses social media with activism and politics, something that is unique to our generation,” said Lauren Seliga, Erie County Student Coalition Member and Catholic University of America student.

 “You can go online and research the numbers our voting percentages have gone up so much more than other generations,” Patricia Rinderly added.

Youth voter turnout exceeded expectations in 2018 and is expected to do so again in 2020. Generation Z — those born in 1997 or later — is the most pro-government and anti-Trump generation, according to the Pew Research Center.

“Collectively together once we all vote that is powerful and we can make change,” Lauren Seliga stated.

Group members told Erie News Now that a common misconception is that young voters are obvious to current events. The group said this is untrue and social media is they’re unique tool to stay up date with events and promote social awareness.