The 2026 US midterm elections on 3 November were not just about who won. They were a reminder of something more important: when young people show up, they shape the future. Whatever your politics, the numbers from this election are worth celebrating – and worth building on.
A near-record youth turnout
According to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University, about 27% of Americans aged 18–29 voted in the 2026 midterms. That is the second-highest youth turnout in a midterm election in the past 30 years, behind only 2018, when it reached 28%. For comparison, youth turnout was just 13% in 2014 and about 23% in 2022.
Midterms usually see far fewer young voters than presidential elections. That makes this turnout all the more remarkable – especially since young people tend to receive less information about how and where to vote than older age groups.
50 million reasons to care
Nearly 50 million young Americans were eligible to vote in 2026, and about eight million of them were voting in their first national election. By late October, CIRCLE counted 3% more registered young voters than at the same point before the 2022 midterms.
Small policy changes can make a big difference. In New Mexico – a state that usually has some of the lowest youth turnout in the country – youth registrations have been rising since the state introduced automatic voter registration in July 2025.
Turning one election into a habit
Voting is a habit. Research consistently shows that people who vote early in life are more likely to keep voting. The next elections – local, state and national – are already coming. Here is how to stay active:
- Check your registration today, especially if you have moved or changed your name.
- Vote in local elections – school boards, city councils and mayors make decisions that affect your daily life.
- Become a poll worker. Many states let people under 18 help run elections.
- Bring a friend. First-time voters are more likely to vote when someone they know invites them.
Democracy is not something we watch. It is something we do. The 2026 midterms showed what is possible – now it is up to all of us to make it a habit.
 at Tufts University, about 27% of Americans aged 18–29 voted in the 2026 midterms. That is the second-highest youth turnout in a midterm election in the past 30 years, behind only 2018, when it reached 28%. For comparison, youth turnout was just 13% in 2014 and about 23% in 2022.){kind=link}