2026 Youth Poll
In a major survey, over 5,000 young people share their political values, priorities, and inflection points ahead of the midterms.
A survey of youth attitudes, issues, and power
Almost 50 million Gen Zers will be eligible to vote in 2026, prompting this representative survey of 18–29 year olds. Fielded between January 26 and February 12 by CIRCLE and When We All Vote, the survey captured the opinions of over 5,000 young people, oversampling young Black and Latino voters, whose voices are often underrepresented.
Political Homes
When young people have access to a political home, they are more likely to vote and take action in our democracy.
A framework to help organizations support youth
Young people need political homes that provide a sense of belonging, help youth develop their voice, and give them opportunities for learning and participation. Our framework identifies five key elements of a political home and gives organizations tools to become better civic spaces for youth.
2024 Election
Explore all of our post-election data on the participation and impact of young voters.
The Youth Vote in 2024
Based on data available immediately after the 2024 election, CIRCLE released comprehensive analyses on the vote choice of different groups of youth, their key issues, and how they shaped election results.
Youth + Media
Explore CIRCLE research on how different types of media ecosystems intersect with youth voter turnout.
Six Profiles of Media Ecosystems
News outlets, local nonprofits, digital access, and more form a community's media ecosystem. A strong one can give youth access to the information and support they need to vote and engage in civic life. A weak media ecosystem may leave youth without the knowledge and tools they need and lead to lower turnout.
Youth Attitudes about Democracy
A major CIRCLE report, produced in partnership with Protect Democracy, examines young people's attitudes toward our system of government.
Civic Engagement and Afterschool Programs
A report from the Afterschool Alliance, co-produced by CIRCLE, examines the potential for civic learning and participation in afterschool programs.
Supporting Young Leaders
CIRCLE's Young Leaders Learning Community helped youth learn valuable civic skills and provided insights on working effectively with young leaders and organizers.
Latest Research
49 Million Young People Will Be Eligible to Vote in the 2026 Midterms
Youth ages 18-29 are a large, powerful, and diverse voting bloc that can use their voice to shape electoral outcomes.
Sustained Professional Learning is Key to the Successful Implementation of New Civics Curricula
Interconnected evaluation efforts among CIRCLE, DESE, and the One8 Foundation have provided valuable insights into how the Investigating History curriculum has been implemented.
Stronger Civic Access, Support, and Culture Address Engagement Gaps by Rurality and Education
The key assets of our CIRCLE Growing Voters framework are associated with higher self-reported voter turnout and civic action among underserved groups.
The 50 Million: Gen Z’s Power, Priorities, and Participation
In a major survey conducted in partnership with When We All Vote, over 5,000 young people shared their political values, priorities, and inflection points ahead of the 2026 midterms.
“It's the Economy, Stupid”: Young People’s Financial Struggles Shape their Political Views and Engagement
An analysis of post-2024 election data reveals strong associations between young people's economic situations and their civic life.