POLISCOPE
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NewsKPBS Public MediaNovember 8, 2026San Diego County

Gen Z voters drive Democratic gains in recent midterm elections according to exit polling

Photo: KPBS Public Media

Voters under 30 heavily favored Democratic candidates in recent midterm elections, carrying the party by nearly 50 points and helping flip House and Senate seats. This shift follows a 2024 election cycle where many young voters leaned toward Donald Trump, but subsequent economic frustrations and unmet campaign promises motivated a change in voting patterns. Exit polling shows that economic concerns, opposition to Trump's policies, and candidate enthusiasm were key factors in the generational swing.

ElectionsDemographicsVoting BehaviorPolitical PartiesEconomy
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Why It Matters

Gen Z voters made up 11% of the total vote in the recent election and provided decisive margins in competitive House and Senate races, signaling that neither major political party holds a permanent lock on younger generations.

Key Facts

  • Voters under 30 carried Democrats by nearly 50 points in recent elections, according to exit polling.
  • Gen Z made up 11% of the total vote on Tuesday.
  • In the Texas Senate race, Democrat James Talarico won the state by 12 points overall and by 60 points among Gen Z voters.
  • Economic issues were the top concern for 43% of 18-29 year olds, with over eight in ten expressing frustration with Trump's handling of the economy.
  • CIRCLE analysis indicates that 15% of young people who backed Trump in 2024 voted for a Democratic House candidate in the midterms.
  • By 2028, Gen Z and millennial voters will make up more than half of the electorate.
  • A Harvard Youth Poll released in October showed an enthusiasm gap where half of young Democrats planned to vote compared to a third of young Republicans and less than a quarter of Independents.

Who's Mentioned

OrganizationRutgers University“University housing the Center for Youth Political Participation.”OrganizationCIRCLE“Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, providing ea”OrganizationCenter for Youth Political Participation“Research center at Rutgers University focused on youth civic engagement.”PersonJames Talarico“Democratic candidate who won the Texas Senate race by 12 percentage points overa”OrganizationHarvard Youth Poll“Organization that released a survey in October noting an enthusiasm gap between ”PersonDonald Trump“President whose policies and second-term performance were cited by exit polls as”PersonElizabeth Matto“Director of the Center for Youth Political Participation at Rutgers University.”locationIran“Country involved in a conflict cited by young voters opposing presidential milit”locationTexas“State where Democrat James Talarico won the Senate race.”PersonJohn Della Volpe“Left-leaning pollster and director of the Harvard Youth Poll who studies the pol”