Young People Turned Out in Near-Record Numbers for the 2026 Midterms, with the Economy Top of Their Minds

Young people turned out in near‑record numbers for the 2026 midterms, with the economy top of their minds

By Sara Suzuki

Gen Z voters broke for Democrats 66% to 31% in the midterms — and the Iran war cracked their top three issues

The economy was the top issue for voters in the November 2026 midterm elections, which saw Democrats win decisive majorities in both houses of Congress. And for young voters, whether in college or not, the economy and jobs, as well as healthcare, were their top concerns, our research at CIRCLE, a…

Young people turned out in near‑record numbers for the 2026 midterms, with the economy top of their minds

by Sara Suzuki, Tufts University, [This article first appeared in The Conversation, republished with permission] The economy was the top issue for voters in the November 2026 midterm elections, which...

Young people turned out in near-record numbers for the 2026 midterms, with the economy top of their minds

A near record-high number of young people turned out to vote in the 2026 midterm elections. Aron Smith/Jackson State University via Getty ImagesThe economy was the top issue for voters in the November 2026 midterm elections, which saw Democrats win decisive majorities in both houses of Congress. And for young voters, whether in college or not, the economy and jobs, as well as healthcare, were their top concerns, our research at CIRCLE, a nonpart…