Overview of It must suck to be young
Vox’s Today, Explained episode looks at why young voters in Michigan are becoming more politically engaged, more disillusioned, and more open to left-populist messages. The segment centers on Michigan’s unusually strong youth turnout, the state’s pro-voting policies, and the rise of candidates like Abdul El-Sayed who are appealing to younger voters by attacking corruption, hypocrisy, corporate money, and U.S. support for Israel. The episode also captures how Gen Z politics is shaped by social media, economic anxiety, and a deep sense that the system is failing them.
What the episode is about
- Investigates why Michigan has relatively high youth voter turnout compared with other states.
- Explores how young voters are thinking about:
- inflation and rent
- Gaza and U.S. foreign policy
- government corruption
- whether voting even matters
- Connects these attitudes to the rise of populist, anti-establishment Democratic candidates.
Michigan’s youth turnout advantage
Michigan stands out because it has built-in mechanisms that make voting easier for young people:
- Pre-registration at age 16
- Teens can pre-register when they get their driver’s license.
- Their registration becomes active automatically at 18 unless they opt out.
- Same-day voter registration
- Campus outreach
- Major colleges employ staff specifically to boost turnout.
The episode argues that these policies help explain why Michigan’s young people vote at higher rates than peers in many other states, though turnout is still only about 4 in 10.
How young voters in Michigan are thinking
The reporting suggests Gen Z voters are not neatly aligned with one party.
Economic frustration is central
Young people repeatedly express anger about:
- rent being unaffordable
- groceries and gas prices rising
- needing multiple jobs to survive
- politicians making promises that never materialize
A recurring sentiment is that the political system feels broken and unresponsive.
Many feel politically homeless
Several young voters say neither party truly represents them:
- some like Democratic support for LGBTQ+ rights or social programs
- others are attracted to Republican rhetoric about work, regulation, or skepticism toward “free freeloading”
- many dislike both parties and think both are corrupt or hypocritical
Abdul El-Sayed and left populism
A major political example in the episode is Abdul El-Sayed, a left-populist candidate challenging centrist Democrat Haley Stevens.
Why El-Sayed is resonating
He appeals to young voters by:
- calling the Democratic Party “bullshit”
- rejecting corporate-backed politics
- criticizing the party’s relationship with Israel and AIPAC
- framing politics as a fight against a rigged system
His message
El-Sayed argues that young people have a strong “bullshit meter” because they are constantly exposed to misinformation and spin online. His campaign suggests that authenticity and anti-establishment anger may matter more than traditional party loyalty.
Gaza, Israel, and generational politics
The episode shows that Gaza is not a niche issue for many young voters.
Why it matters to them
Young people say they are disturbed by:
- images of dead children on their phones
- U.S. tax dollars supporting war
- the feeling that politicians ignore genocide and anti-Semitism alike
For some, Gaza connects directly to broader concerns about:
- moral hypocrisy
- foreign policy
- affordability and their future
The episode also shows how emotionally charged and personal these debates have become, even among friends.
Gen Z, friendship, and political conflict
A memorable section focuses on two 17-year-old friends who disagree on Israel-Palestine but remain close.
What this reveals
- Gen Z is often more politically aware than older generations because of social media.
- Political arguments are more common and more intense than they used to be.
- Even close friendships now include regular debates over Gaza, anti-Semitism, abortion, and ideology.
Despite disagreement, the two teens suggest open discussion may be better than avoiding politics entirely.
The Trump era’s effect on young people
The episode ends by reflecting on how Donald Trump has shaped the political lives of young Americans.
Main idea
Young people have grown up in a time of:
- constant political conflict
- heightened polarization
- more extreme left and right identities
- public distrust in institutions
The teens interviewed say they have only known this divisive political environment and sometimes even see it intensifying.
Key takeaways
- Michigan’s turnout system matters: automatic and early registration policies help get more young people voting.
- Economic pain drives political anger: rent, wages, and cost of living are central concerns.
- Gen Z is ideologically fluid: many young voters are not reliably Democratic or Republican.
- Populist messaging is working: anti-establishment candidates are gaining traction by attacking hypocrisy and corruption.
- Foreign policy is personal: Gaza and Israel are major voting issues for many young people.
- Young people are deeply skeptical: a growing number feel the system is rigged and that their vote may not change much.
Bottom line
The episode paints a picture of a generation that is more informed, more cynical, and more politically outspoken than many older Americans expect. In Michigan, young voters are not just showing up more often—they are helping redefine what political energy looks like on the left, and they are doing it with anger, skepticism, and a demand for something more honest than politics as usual.