Economic Concerns Push Young Voters Toward Democrats Ahead of Midterms

Tue, 05 May 2026 04:36:00 +0200

A recent national survey of over 1,000 young Americans highlights growing challenges for the Republican Party ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. While young voters swung Republican in 2024, dissatisfaction with the economy is now driving 18- to 34-year-olds back toward the Democratic Party. The poll, conducted by Generation Lab, finds that 52% of young Americans plan to vote Democratic, compared to just 19% for Republicans. Among young Republicans, only 58% intend to vote GOP, while nearly a third either will not vote or support no party. Economic dissatisfaction is widespread, with 81% of young Americans rating U.S. economic conditions as bad or terrible. President Donald Trump is blamed by 41% of respondents, and congressional Republicans by another 9%, while 31% attribute economic issues to corporate greed. Beyond economic concerns, young Americans are critical of U.S. military action in Iran, with 77% viewing the strikes as a mistake and 75% disapproving of Trump's handling. Repu