As young adults barely graduating high school, there are a lot of things to be worried about, and most of us tend to prioritize the things we believe will have an immediate effect on us. Yet, with our high school seniors now reaching the voting age and the California primary elections happening in June, it’s important for people to understand how their vote matters. 

On May 23, voting centers will open for the California primary election and will end on June 2. A primary election is an election that occurs to determine the nominees for a general election, which will be on Nov. 3. This includes the election of the top two candidates who will run to become the California governor. While there are many candidates to vote for in a primary election, the votes for the governor are what captivate most of the state. 

The governor shapes policy for 39 million residents by signing and vetoing legislation, appointing judges, and leading crisis responses. They make a big impact on our everyday lives. With a whole generation of young voters entering the political world, politicians have had to come up with ways to gain support.  

Many politicians have begun utilizing social media as a way to bridge the gap between themselves and many young, new voters. And what a lot of these new voters don’t realize is that most of these influencers are being paid to push these candidates. While some influencers and politicians claim no such thing has occurred, their ties are still questionable, leading to uncertainty as to which sources can be trusted. 

One of the most notable governor candidates using social media to win over voters is Tom Steyer. In campaign finance filings from January to April, it was revealed Steyer has paid over $123,400 to at least eight influencers. But Steyer isn’t the only one accused of paying influencers to support and promote him; candidates like Xavier Becerra have also been suspected. On TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, there has been an increase in the number of influencers discussing politicians and politics, as well as an increase in the number of people who listen to them. One in five Americans regularly gets news on TikTok, rising to more than two in five for those under age 30. 

It’s important for young adults to understand why it is important to find unbiased, professional sources of information. Most social media feeds contain an algorithm bias, prioritizing sensationalism over factual data on politicians. As a result, many complex issues get stripped of their vital context and leave viewers with only one perspective. This can shelter users from opposing or different political perspectives and reduce the discussions regarding the nuances of candidates and politics. Instead, it can be helpful to get information from official state resources and unbiased newspapers like Associated Press and Reuters. There are also some news sources that provide information regarding both sides of the political spectrum such as Ground News. 

When considering candidates, it is important for voters to find unbiased sources where they can create their own opinions. Cal Matters is a nonpartisan, independent news organization with a factual reporting style. They have a list of the Californian governor candidates and interviews with each candidate. Additionally, they have a short 11-question quiz that reveals which candidates support your views. After answering each question, it shows which candidates support those policies and ideas, although they still advise reading through the list of candidates. 

While the primary elections allow voters to vote on more than just the governor, that’s where most of the focus is, but it’s still advisable to research all the candidates and positions before placing your vote. You can also find a list of all the positions and candidates for each position, as well as a brief background on the Cal Matters website, or a list of them on the certified list of candidates. In addition to this, it’s crucial to research what each policy and ideal candidates are running behind mean for you and your future. 

While it might take some time to find a candidate you truly want to support, the process of voting is essential if we want to create the future we desire.