By LILY DIXON

8-18 Media

Special to the Journal

MARQUETTE — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took time out of her busy schedule to talk about three issues that matter to young voters. The questions focused on gun reform, the importance of the youth vote and the need for young people to be engaged in the democratic process.

Gun safety

As Michigan students head back to school this fall, gun safety is on the minds of many students and their families. Whitmer recently signed gun legislation with the goal of keeping students and their communities safer. Whitmer said the subject of gun safety is very important to her.

“So one of the hardest and heaviest days that I’ve had as governor … two of them, were one, the Oxford shooting and two, the Michigan State shooting. You know our education places need to be a space where students can focus on learning as opposed to always scanning to see where the nearest exit is. I know as a mom of two college students that your generation has been uniquely impacted by gun violence. The biggest killer of young people in this nation — and only this nation — is gun violence. So having some common-sense gun reforms, background checks, secure storage requirements, red flag laws are some ways that we can mitigate gun violence. It won’t end it. Actually, I think a national strategy is ultimately what we are going to need, but until that happens we can do some common-sense things. Protect gun owners rights, but also keep people safe, and that’s what I’m focusing on,” Whitmer said.

Youth vote is important

Young people may not feel they have a say in American politics, however, according to the Washington Post, Gen Z and millennials are expected to make up nearly 40 % of the electorate in 2024. Whitmer discussed the ways the Democratic Party plans to reach out and engage with this crucial group of young voters.

“One of things that I think is really a remarkable story from last year’s election is the participation rates of young voters in Michigan. It wasn’t true in all parts of this country, but in Michigan, young voters made their voices heard and in incredible numbers. Seeing people on campuses waiting in line because you could actually register and vote all in one day meant it was a little more cumbersome, but they stayed because it was an important election. It was about fundamental rights, it was about climate change, it was about gun violence, it was about good jobs and I think that’s why it’s so important that young people are voting and why we level barriers for new voters.” Whitmer explained, “You know, over the years we’ve seen politicians with their own personal agendas make it harder for certain groups of people to vote, especially young voters. We are leveling those barriers, we are engaging and listening.”

Engaging youth in the political process

Although experience matters, Whitmer believes the most important part of politics is to be involved and engaged. For those thinking about running for office, Whitmer provides enthusiastic encouragement.

“Do it! Period. There’s so much at stake in the outcomes of these elections. Your generation has the biggest at stake. You are going to live with these policies for the longest out of any of us and that’s why you should run for office. That’s why today you can walk into the Legislature and do a better job than a lot of people who are there. I’ll just be honest,” Whitmer said. “And so, I encourage you to not hold yourself back by thinking you have to achieve a certain status in life, a certain education level, a certain level of experience or a certain office as a prerequisite. Most people older than you don’t think that way. And so I want you to wipe that out of your mind and know that if you are passionate and you can care about your community, you want to do a good job and you can get along with people — even people you disagree with — you would be an effective legislator, and I want you to think about running.”