Likely voters under 45 favored Democrats over Republicans by 22 percentage points in the PBS News/NPR/Marist poll conducted Oct. 19-20, 2026, but only 42% in that age group reported being very enthusiastic about voting

Federal and state elections held midway through a presidential term, deciding control of Congress and many governorships. Turnout falls well below presidential years and the president's party usually loses ground, which makes them a standing referendum on the sitting administration.