There Are More Youth Registered to Vote As Of July 2026 than in the Last Midterm Election

As part of their work to understand and promote youth electoral participation, the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning Education (CIRCLE) is tracking changes in youth voter registration: comparing 2026 to the previous midterm in 2022. There are 1% more young people registered to vote in the 2026 midterms than there were in 2022, a small positive sign about youth engagement ahead of the November election. These estimates of changes in youth voter registration are based on a CIRCLE analysis of voter file data as of July 1, 2026. We compare the number of young people, ages 18-29, currently registered to vote to the same period in 2022—the most recent midterm election. We include data for 42 states for which reliable data by age is available. While the overall trend shows a very small increase, there are notable and troubling differences in voter registration changes by race/ethnicity. Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) youth, who make up 5% of the voting-eligible youth population, have increased their voter registrations by 18%. Latino youth, who make up 22% of the potential youth electorate, have experienced a 6% increase. The number of white youth registered to vote increased 1%, but the number of young Black registrants has decreased by 10%. While there is still plenty of time to close that gap, it will take intentional efforts by organizations and campaigns to reach Black youth and support their voter registration.

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