High school volunteers Sawyer Brockman and Jack Skilling were seen encouraging voter registration at Windham High School in New Hampshire last January. With elections approaching, Democrats could see significant wins in November, largely depending on young voter turnout. The potential sway of youth votes might determine the Senate’s control and the House majority for Democrats.
On the left, there has been a notable lack of funding in youth-centric programs. In contrast, the right dedicated $1.2 billion to reaching youth in 2024, outspending the left significantly. The left’s financial shortcomings persist even as former President Trump’s approval among young voters drops. The shift right by non-college young men in 2024 taught Democrats that insufficient funding yields inadequate results.
Young voters have historically supported Democrats as seen in the 2025 elections and recent polls. College students and young women are core supporters. Young men who backed Trump in 2024 are moving away due to issues like the Iran War and economic conditions. In states such as Texas and Michigan, young people favor Democratic Senate candidates by wide margins, up to 31 points. College students show even stronger support, with a 52-point Democratic lead in generic ballots according to a September survey.
Despite strong Democratic preference, young voters may not follow through at the polls. They typically show less motivation to vote in off-year elections compared to older, conservative voters, even in crucial states. Gen Z had a notably low turnout during the last midterm, with only 28% participation in 2022 compared to 50% in 2024. Between 2020 and 2024, turnout among voters under 35 fell nearly 7%, a decline of 2.5 million young voters.
Registration gaps further complicate matters as many young people move frequently. In 2025, 36% of voters under 35 moved within two years, and 52% moved within four years. College students in battleground states often cross state lines, affecting their registration status. Voting has become more challenging due to restrictions placed by Republican officials, such as the denial of on-campus polling sites and student ID limitations, notably in North Carolina and New Hampshire.
Despite these obstacles, young organizers have actively countered voter suppression tactics. Initiatives by groups like North Carolina College Democrats have informed students about polling changes, while Voters of Tomorrow’s Virginia chapter succeeded in establishing a polling site at Hampton University.
Young voters present a unique challenge to traditional engagement methods, as they favor private digital interactions over conventional media channels. The most effective outreach leverages trusted figures and platforms within these communities. Democrats need to seriously address the Republican investment in youth outreach to maximize potential electoral gains.
With 28 states allowing same-day voter registration or early deadlines, young voter influence remains pivotal. Celinda Lake, a seasoned Democratic pollster, and Eve Levenson, from Voters of Tomorrow, stress the ongoing battle for youth votes.
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