Gen Z, Democracy, and a Crisis of Faith

Elizabeth Matto, director of Rutgers’ Eagleton Institute of Politics, traces a peaceful family disagreement over voting rights into a deeper debate about whether voting is a right or a privilege. Drawing on research, teaching, and lived experience, she argues that even when voting is legally a right, structural barriers often turn it into a privilege for those with time, resources, and civic know-how. This conversation unpacks false narratives around voter access, education, patriotism, and turnout exploring how citizens with opposing politics often want informed voters but disagree on how to get there. Looking ahead, Matto offers a sobering yet hopeful take on Gen Z: disillusioned and anxious, but still hungry for democratic engagement if given tools, trust, and real opportunities to lead.

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