Kamala Harris urges Gen Z to speak up through their votes while campaigning for Jon Ossoff

WASHINGTON, DC: Former Vice President Kamala Harris urged young voters to turn out in next week’s midterm elections while campaigning for Sen Jon Ossoff (D-GA) at Clark Atlanta University on Thursday. She told students that their generation has a major stake in the results and a right to say what it wants from elected officials.

Harris’s appearance came days before Election Day, with Ossoff in a closely watched re-election race against Republican Rep. Mike Collins. Both parties are making a final push for voters in Georgia, where early voting is already underway.

Kamala Harris tells Gen Z they have ‘everything at stake’

Harris singled out Gen Z in her remarks, pointing to the group’s size and to the crises its members have had to deal with.

"This is the moment where we turn that anger into action. And in particular Gen Z," Harris said, before noting the cohort's influential size and the societal crises its members have had to grapple with.

"You have everything at stake and you have a right to weigh in and tell people what you want. And that's what you are doing this election season," Harris said. "… And what I want for your life is that you always know that you deserve the best. But I want you to also understand it will not be because people give it to you, it will be because you fight for it. Because you are active in letting people know what you need and what you want. And so at election time. That's about your vote."

She told the audience that their voices matter and that voting is how they make them heard.

Kamala Harris criticizes Trump administration

Harris also condemned the Trump administration in her remarks, describing its actions as "a level of brutality like we have never seen, a level of ignorance like we have never seen. A level of cruelty like we have never seen."

Harris’s message to Gen Z reflects a long-running challenge for Democrats. A recent poll from Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics found likely voters aged 18 to 29 heavily favoring Democrats.

Young Americans have historically voted at lower rates than older ones, so strong support in the polls does not automatically become votes cast.

Ossoff is running his campaign on the idea of getting people to turn out to vote. He is not wasting time worrying about the election of 2028. Harris is another name that has been suggested as a possible candidate for a future presidential election.

Harris has not made any announcements. Earlier in the week, Harris spoke to MeidasTouch and suggested investigations instead of impeachment for the Democrats if they win back Congress.

Georgia has seen many people coming out to vote during its early voting phase. Both campaigns are expected to focus on getting supporters out to vote.