Yale Poll Shows College-Aged Voters Favor GOP in 2026 Elections

Recent results from the Spring 2025 Yale Youth Poll reveal a significant shift among young American voters, with those aged 18 to 21 now favoring Republicans by an 11.7-point margin for the 2026 congressional elections, while voters aged 22 to 29 lean Democratic by 6.4 points. This trend marks a departure from the traditional Democratic dominance among younger voters and appears driven in part by generational experiences such as the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving views on cultural issues like transgender participation in women's sports, which 57.8% of voters under 30 oppose. Despite the GOP's gains, young voters generally hold unfavorable views of major political figures, with both Republican and Democratic leaders receiving negative favorability ratings, though Vice President JD Vance stands out with strong support among Republicans under 30. The Democratic Party is reportedly struggling with messaging and connection to working-class voters following significant losses in the 2024 elections. Experts note that understanding the priorities and beliefs of young voters is crucial for political outreach, as their support cannot be taken for granted by either party.