Young and Lower-Income Voters Shifted to Democrats in 2026 Midterms

Voters under age 30 moved sharply toward Democratic candidates in the 2026 midterm elections, reversing a trend seen in the 2024 presidential race.

The AP Voter Poll surveyed more than 100,000 registered voters in all 50 states. The data indicates that about 70% of voters under 30 supported the Democratic candidate in their local U.S. House race. In 2024, this age group was roughly split between the two major parties.

This demographic shift was evident in several Senate races where Democrats gained seats. Young voters in Texas, Kansas, Iowa, Ohio, and North Carolina favored Democratic nominees. About 60% of voters under 30 said opposition to President Donald Trump was a primary reason for their House vote, a higher share than older age groups reported.

Hispanic voters also moved away from Republicans. In 2024, roughly 40% of Hispanic voters supported President Trump. In the 2026 midterms, only about one-third of Hispanic voters backed the Republican candidate in their local House race. Nationally, about 60% of Hispanic voters chose the Democratic candidate.

The change was visible in the Texas Senate race. Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton. The poll shows roughly 60% of Hispanic voters in that race supported Talarico, while only about 30% voted for Paxton. In Florida, Republican Senator Ashley Moody won reelection, but less than half of Hispanic voters in the state supported her.

Black men showed a notable return to the Democratic Party. Only about 10% of Black men voted for the Republican House candidate nationally, down from roughly 25% who supported President Trump in 2024. In Georgia, about 90% of Black men voted for Keisha Lance Bottoms, who became the state's first Black female governor. In Florida, about 25% of Black men voted for Republican Byron Donalds, who was elected as the state's first Black governor.

Moderate voters and those with lower incomes also leaned Democratic. Roughly two-thirds of moderates supported the Democratic House candidate, an increase from the 60% who backed Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. About 80% of moderates said Congress was not providing enough checks and balances on the presidency.

Economic concerns drove many voting decisions. More than half of voters with a 2025 household income under $50,000 voted for the Democratic House candidate. In 2024, this income group was evenly split between the parties. About 60% of voters earning under $50,000 called the cost of living a key factor in their vote, compared to half of voters earning more.