National Listening Tour Launches As New Survey Shows 62% of Gen Z Believe the Country is Headed in the Wrong Direction

Celebrities, Brands and More Join as When We All Vote Launches "Pass The Mic," the largest effort to listen to and amplify the voices of young people across the country

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, When We All Vote announced Pass the Mic, a national, nonpartisan effort to engage hundreds of thousands of young people and amplify the key issues that matter most in the world they want to build. Through a national research survey of 5,500 18–29 year olds conducted with the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University's Tisch College of Civic Life; events across the country; celebrity, influencer and brand partnerships; and more, Pass the Mic will meet Gen Z where they are, rebuild trust in democracy and empower them to take action. Building on findings from the research report, the listening tour will feature Lollapalooza and FIFA sweepstakes, events on college campuses and partnerships with the National Basketball Association (NBA) and brands like Lyft, Experiment and more.

Gen Z Ambassadors

Pass the Mic is not about talking at Gen Z — it is about authentically listening and connecting them to ways to stay tapped in, educated and engaged. Through Gen Z Ambassadors, Pass the Mic is bringing together influential voices to meet Gen Z where they already are — online, on screens and in community. When We All Vote's new Ambassador cohort includes a dynamic group of Gen Z and cross-generational leaders, including Marsai Martin, Keith Lee, Serena Page, Olandria Carthen, Nia Sioux, Eni Popoola, Gabby Thomas, Chelley Bissainthe, Miles Robinson, Ari Chambers, Eric Sedeño, Trinitee Stokes and more. Hear from them on the issues they care about most here and here.

National Research Survey

While 40 million members of Gen Z were eligible to vote in 2024, more than 21 million did not cast their ballots. As nearly 50 million Gen Zers will be eligible to vote in 2026, this representative survey of 18–29 year olds aims to better understand how to support and mobilize Gen Z, oversampling young Black and Latino voters whose voices are too often ignored at the ballot box. The full report can be found here. Key findings include:

"What Gen Z says matters, and what they do next matters too. But we know that to reach new voters, we can't use old tactics. That's why When We All Vote is flipping the script on how we engage Gen Z by passing them the mic. By amplifying their experiences and then connecting priorities like the economy to what's on their ballots, we're meeting Gen Z on their terms in the 2026 midterms and beyond," said Kalisha Dessources Figures, When We All Vote Senior Advisor.

"Young people are sending us clear signals, not only of dissatisfaction with our politics and deep economic concerns, but also of a strong desire to take action and drive change. It's up to all of us to take those messages to heart and work alongside them, turning both their frustrations and their passion into opportunities for engagement that will strengthen our democracy," said Leela Strong, Newhouse Director of CIRCLE.

Despite frustrations with the status quo, Gen Z is not apathetic and has distinct needs, concerns and critiques of U.S. democracy. The 50 Million: Gen Z's Power, Priorities and Participation also provides recommendations for how political institutions can better include, inform and mobilize young people, including: engaging Gen Z through their lived experiences, especially on the economy; connecting their priorities to their ballot choices; and building nonpartisan pathways to political engagement.

Listening Tour

Pass the Mic will listen to young voters on their top issues; transform Gen Z civic participation through community building and culturally relevant engagements; and drive action with a follow-up program that connects key issues to voting in the 2026 midterms and beyond. Built for listening, amplification and action, Pass the Mic's listening tour will feature both in-person and digital moments, as well as key partnerships, including:

Pass the Mic seeks to increase civic engagement amongst more than one million young voters over the next five years. More information about Pass the Mic, including full survey data, listening tour events and more can be found at WhenWeallVote.Org/PassTheMic.

ABOUT When We All Vote:

When We All Vote is a national, nonpartisan initiative where young people — especially Black and Brown voters ages 18–34 — not only participate in our democracy, but shape it. We are on a mission to increase participation in every election, close the race and age voting gap, and change the culture around voting.

Michelle Obama founded When We All Vote in 2018 and is joined by fellow Co-Chairs Stephen Curry, Becky G, Selena Gomez, Tom Hanks, H.E.R., Liza Koshy, Jennifer Lopez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monáe, Chris Paul, Megan Rapinoe, Shonda Rhimes, Bretman Rock, Jayson Tatum, Kerry Washington, and Rita Wilson. When We All Vote is an initiative of Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) organization, and works with Civic Nation Action, a 501(c)(4).

ABOUT Civic Nation:

Civic Nation is an impact hub for ideas, leaders, and initiatives that strengthen civic culture, power, and participation. Rooted in purpose and powered by people, Civic Nation brings together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders, brands, and influencers to take on the biggest issues of our time. Civic Nation is home to five national initiatives: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It's On Us, We The Action, and When We All Vote. Learn more here.

ABOUT The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE):

The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) is the preeminent nonpartisan research center on young people's civic learning and engagement. CIRCLE is based at Tufts University's Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life.

SOURCE When We All Vote