Politics · United States · 4 hrs ago
Young voters and other groups shift toward Democrats in 2026 midterms
In the 2026 US midterm elections, voters in several groups shifted toward Democrats, reversing some Republican gains from the 2024 presidential race.
The AP Voter Poll surveyed more than 100,000 voters across all 50 states.
About seven in 10 voters under 30 said they backed the Democratic candidate in their local House race, compared with about three in 10 for Republicans.
Hispanic voters also moved toward Democrats, while Black voters, especially Black men, did so as well.
Many moderates backed Democrats, and the poll found that most voters said inflation had caused their household at least moderate hardship over the past year.
Dissatisfaction with the country and opposition to Trump shaped votes: about three-quarters of voters said they felt angry or dissatisfied, and many young voters said opposing Trump was a reason for their choice.
These shifts helped Democrats in several key Senate races, including Texas, Kansas, Iowa, Ohio and North Carolina.
The AP Voter Poll found that young voters and several other demographic groups shifted toward Democratic candidates in the 2026 midterms.
About 7 in 10 voters under 30 supported the Democratic candidate in their local U.S. House race, compared with about 3 in 10 who backed the Republican.
Hispanic voters also moved toward Democrats, while Black voters—particularly Black men—and voters with household incomes below $50,000 shifted away from Republicans.
A separate analysis reported that women and urban voters strongly favored Democrats, while Republicans led among white and rural voters.
Voter dissatisfaction was widespread, and opposition to President Donald Trump and concerns about the economy were prominent factors.
- Who
- Democratic and Republican candidates, with young voters and other demographic groups among those surveyed.
- What
- The AP Voter Poll found a shift toward Democrats among young voters and several other groups in the 2026 midterms.
- When
- The 2026 midterm elections, held on Nov. 3, 2026.
- Where
- Across the United States, including all 50 states surveyed by the AP Voter Poll.
- Why
- The articles cite dissatisfaction with the country’s direction, opposition to Trump, and economic concerns including inflation.
Young voters
Older voters
House vote
Young voters
About 7 in 10 voters under 30 supported the Democratic candidate and about 3 in 10 supported the Republican.
Older voters
Voters aged 65 and older were less likely than young voters to say they were angry about the country’s direction.
House vote
Young voters
Republicans led among rural voters, 58% to 40%, according to the YouTrend analysis.
Older voters
Democrats led among urban voters, 71% to 27%, according to the same analysis.
Young voters were roughly split between Trump and Harris, while Trump made gains with Hispanic voters.
Voters cast ballots in the midterm elections.
The articles reported findings from the AP Voter Poll and a YouTrend analysis of the election.
- AP Voter Poll size
- More than 100,000 voters
- Survey coverage
- All 50 states
- Voters under 30
- About 7 in 10 supported Democratic House candidates; about 3 in 10 supported Republicans
- Hispanic voters
- About 6 in 10 nationally supported the Democratic candidate in their local House race
- Women
- 61% Democratic; 38% Republican, according to the YouTrend analysis
- Urban voters
- 71% Democratic; 27% Republican, according to the YouTrend analysis
4 sources
Young voters led a sharp shift toward Democrats in the 2026 midterms, The AP Voter Poll finds
Midterm, la vittoria dei democratici trainata da donne e giovani. I repubblicani prevalgono solo tra i bianchi e nelle aree rurali. L’analisi del voto
Election takeaways: Young voters move away from the GOP, many voters driven by opposition to Trump
Young voters appear to shift away from Republicans and many voters sought to oppose Trump: The AP Voter Poll
What people are saying
Young voters swung sharply left.
They appear to be taking his advice — and that's not a good thing for the Republican president or his party.
They appear to be taking his advice — and that's not a good thing for the Republican president or his party.