CHICAGO (Wales) — Generation Z voters have mixed reactions to the results of the 2024 presidential election.

“How can a criminal be president and criminals can’t even vote?” Najea Foster said. “I’m afraid for the lives of my black male friends. I’m afraid for the lives of my significant other. I’m afraid for my own life.”

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Foster, a second-time voter, said the results were disappointing after voting for Kamala Harris, but she was even more disappointed with those who did not vote at all.

“I was very disappointed in my generation. A lot of them didn’t go out to vote because they didn’t think it mattered,” Foster said.

The Chicago Board of Elections said just over 53 percent of registered voters ages 18 to 24 cast ballots. That’s less than the city average for overall voter turnout: 58%.

“I think the most important thing is to vote for the best option,” Gerardo Ayala said.

First-time voters voted for President-elect Donald Trump over Harris by nine points.

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Compared to the 2020 election, this time Trump doubled his support from first-time voters. Some said this was due to his stance on the economy.

“When they don’t spend as much money on groceries or buy gas, they see how inflation and a better economy affects them,” Evan Villinski said.

Although Villinski did not vote for Trump, he said he might agree on some of his policies, such as immigration.

“Stricter immigration policies would probably be helpful,” Villinski said. he said. “Show that immigrating to the United States is not the only option.”

Others, like Ayala, say they are concerned about the environment.

“In this 2025 Project, he wants to expand the use of fossil fuels, coal mines and things like that, and stop the use of renewable energy,” Ayala said.

First-time voter Ryan Phoenix is ​​worried about his friends in the LGBTQ+ community.