US midterm elections 2026: Young, Black and Hispanic voters drive Democratic gains

Main points

• Democrats received 70% support among voters aged 18 to 29.
• Black voters overwhelmingly backed Democrats, according to preliminary estimates.
• Republicans retained an advantage among white men.

Democrats won strong support from young voters, women and racial minority groups in the 2026 US midterm elections, reversing some of the gains Republicans made during Donald Trump's 2024 presidential victory.

Democratic candidates received an estimated 56% of votes nationwide, compared with 43% for Republicans, according to preliminary figures presented in The New York Times' voter trends data.

The figures show that 70% of voters aged 18 to 29 backed Democrats, compared with 28% who supported Republicans. Democrats also led among voters aged 30 to 44, winning 62% against 36%.

Black voters showed the strongest Democratic preference, with 91% supporting the party and 8% backing Republicans. Democrats also won 69% of Hispanic voters and 70% of Asian voters, according to the infographic.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Indonesia ferry fire forces evacuation of 420 passengers near Merak Port

Women were another important source of Democratic support, favouring the party by 61% to 38%. Men were more evenly divided, with Democrats holding a narrow 51% to 48% lead.

White voters were the only racial group shown favouring Republicans overall, by 51% to 48%. The divide was particularly pronounced among white men, 56% of whom supported Republicans, compared with 43% for Democrats.

The Associated Press' nationwide voter survey broadly supports the trend, finding that around seven in 10 voters under 30 backed Democratic House candidates, while approximately nine in 10 Black voters supported the party.

The results mark a shift from 2024, when Trump made gains among younger, Black and Hispanic voters.

A July 2026 Pew Research Centre survey had already identified stronger Democratic support among younger voters, women and racial minority groups, although it measured voting intentions rather than actual ballots.

The AP Voter Poll also found that economic concerns and dissatisfaction with Trump's presidency influenced voting decisions. Around seven in 10 voters said Congress was not doing enough to check presidential power.

The findings underline the importance of age, gender and race in American voting patterns, while showing how voter preferences can change between presidential and congressional elections.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

‘I truly felt your support’ - Pope Leo XIV makes first public appearance after cancer surgery