Unprecedented Wave of Enthusiasm Propels Youth Early Voting Rate Ahead of General Electorate
NextGen’s America research finds unprecedented participation in the 2026 midterm elections among voters aged 18-29
Washington, D.C. — Today, NextGen America, a nationwide organization educating, engaging, and empowering young people to make their voices heard at the ballot box, released a new analysis of the latest available early voting data in key states. As of data available with less than one day before the polls close, nearly 3.5 million voters aged 18–29 have already cast ballots, 59% more than at this point in 2022. Young voters have outpaced the general electorate in early voting, which has increased by 27% since 2022, indicating that the final results on Election Day will be more shaped by young people than any other midterm election in US history.
In the overwhelming majority of states where NextGen America has been engaged in on-the-ground voter education and mobilization efforts on college campuses, young people are outpacing the 2022 early vote by a wide margin:
Georgia — 248,067 young people voted early, an increase of 44% from 2022
Iowa — 25,730 young people voted early, an increase of 94% from 2022
Michigan — 131,028 young people voted early, an increase of 68% from 2022
North Carolina — 214,064 young people voted early, an increase of 95% from 2022
Pennsylvania — 61,928 young people voted early, a decrease of 26% from 2022
Texas — 624,937 young people voted early, an increase of 62% from 2022
Virginia — 105,119 young people voted early, an increase of 126% from 2022
In total, there are nearly 1.3 million more young early voters than at this point in 2022.
In the wake of this dramatic increase in youth voter participation, NextGenAmerica Executive Director Arianna Jones released the following statement:
“Every two years, someone writes the story that young people won’t show up, won’t make an impact, or won’t be the group that decides the election,” said NextGen America Executive Director Arianna Jones. “But this year, the youth vote got a head start. Strong youth early vote turnout is what happens when we invest in year-round organizing to educate and empower the largest and most diverse generation in American history and trust them to shape their futures on their own terms. Every ballot cast early is one less excuse to count them out.”
NextGen America will continue to engage young voters across the country in 2026 and beyond on college campuses, in online communities, and other spaces that have been neglected for too long, engaging in long-term community building to empower the youth vote for years to come. As the polls close tomorrow, NextGen will celebrate the massive turnout that young voters have shown as they organize to build collective power and make an impact on issues shaping their lives and futures.
###
About NextGen America
NextGen America is a nationwide organization working to educate and empower young people to organize, vote, and lead.