OPINION: Here’s how young people can get involved in Michigan politics

Young Michiganders are driving political change across the state.

The participation of Young Michiganders in government and politics has too often been misunderstood as posting on social media and messaging friends, but in reality, this is far from the truth. Young Democrats are active and engaged citizens, organizers, and dedicated to public service to affect change on the American and statewide legislative process. We are already in places and roles that are too often overlooked. Here’s how some Michiganders are involved, and how others can join.

YOUNG PEOPLE IN MICHIGAN RUN CAMPAIGNS

Whether it’s on Eli Savit’s campaign for Michigan Attorney General, Mallory McMorrow and Abdul El-Sayed’s bid for U.S. Senate, Darrin Camilleri’s re-election campaign for State Senate, to even local City Council campaigns, young organizers are involved in all aspects of these campaigns across the state. As we approach the 2026 midterms, the newsletters and yard signs voters see—as well as the behind the scenes policy memos and donor research invisible to most—are increasingly crafted and distributed by young Michiganders. Campaigns not only recognize our eagerness to get involved, but also the necessity of utilizing the experiences and voices of young people.

We—a generation who grew up on the internet, shaped by the election of Trump in 2016—watched as he stoked extremist right-wing beliefs leading to the January 6th attack on the capitol, and then got re-elected in 2024. Many of us have watched friends and siblings shift further to the right than anyone could have anticipated. These Democratic candidates know they must turn to those of us closest to this widening rift to address the sobering 24-point drop from the youth vote’s 2020 support for Biden.

YOUNG PEOPLE IN MICHIGAN SERVE

Young Michiganders aren’t just helping candidates get elected, they’re working in Lansing and DC helping candidates after they get elected to public office. From answering constituent phone calls, drafting policy memos, staffing committee meetings, to knocking on doors to hear directly from constituents, young professionals are using their education, life experiences, time, and dedication to serve others as interns and full time staff.

The Future Caucus lists five elected officials from the Michigan House of Representatives as Gen-Z, three of which are Democrats. Representatives Alabas Farhat, Jasper Martus, and Will Snyder represent districts all across the state, and they show us that young Michiganders are not only active in the political process, but have been trusted by others to help lead it. 

Representative Alabas Farhat in particular had—until July 24th—served as the Appropriations Committee Minority Vice Chair, a sign of the confidence in him as both a legislator and leader in the House Appropriations process. On July 24th, Trump-aligned Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, Matt Hall removed Representative Farhat from his role as Minority Vice Chair as a result of a handful of bills, which were wholly unrelated to the budget, failing to pass any of the bills in part because a key Republican Rep. James DeSana was missing from multiple votes that could have passed the bills. Instead of working with the members of his caucus or working on bi-partisan amendments, Speaker Hall blamed Farhat, who, just months before, was found in a MIRS new poll was voted the most effective Democrat in the Republican-controlled Michigan House of Representatives. When asked about his Vice Chair position Farhat said “I got moved because I was someone who wanted to fight for values…” which further proves to us that Gen Z leaders like Farhat are guided not by political convenience, but rather by the very values that got them elected. 

As of November, there has still been no replacement selected to fill the Minority Appropriations Vice Chair position left vacant after Farhat’s removal. Now, as the Governor, Speaker Hall, and Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks agree on a budget mere hours before a government shutdown, it is clear that bipartisan efforts to pass a budget are more important than political spats that plagued Lansing this summer.

YOUNG PEOPLE IN MICHIGAN CONTINUE TO RUN FOR OFFICE

The Michigan House of Representatives is not the only place where Gen-Z Democrats are involved. Each election cycle will continue to feature more young and Gen-Z Michiganders running for office, and there is no shortage of talent ready to step up. Recent MSU graduate Liam Richichi launched his bid for East Lansing City Council, joining a wave of young leaders stepping up to lead at every level of government. Although he did not win, the former MSU College Democrats President nearly tied for 3rd place in a race for two open seats out of six candidates. That was his first time he has ever run for public office.

These candidacies aren’t symbolic, they’re strategic. Young Michiganders are values-driven and backed by deep involvement in our communities. As young Democrats, we are organizers, staffers, volunteers, and voters, but more and more, we are becoming candidates, officeholders, and decision-makers. The great thing about Michigan politics—and Democratic organizing generally—is that anyone can get involved. If you are passionate about a cause, there will always be a seat for you at the table. And if the table feels full, young Michiganders don’t wait; we pull up a folding chair and make room for ourselves. The political future of Michigan will be shaped by young people. We are not just the next generation—we’re already leading.

This is part of the op-ed series from the Michigan College Democrats. To learn more about the series and read other submissions, click here.