I also knew which issues I cared about and where candidates stood on those issues. He imbued me with a sense of hope after living through George W. Bush’s disheartening presidency. “When you know better, you do better” has been a guiding light in my politics, but now, I know when we know better, we demand better. I hope Gen Z knows their presence at the polls matters and their work doesn’t end after they’ve dropped off their ballots. Having hope is not a sign of disillusionment; it’s a reminder that every storm eventually runs out of rain.