Young voters backed Democrats in 2024, but can the party keep them?

Young voters overwhelmingly backed Democratic candidates in Tuesday's midterm elections, with about three-quarters of voters under 30 supporting their local Democratic House candidate, according to the AP Voter Poll. This marks a dramatic shift from 2024, when young voters were roughly split between Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris. The anti-Trump backlash was particularly strong among young voters, with only about one-quarter saying Trump is a strong leader or mentally fit, a sharp decline from 2024. Many cited disappointment with the economy, Trump's war with Iran, and broken promises as key motivators, with young men who previously supported Trump either sitting out or backing Democrats. Democrats must now deliver on issues like lowering the cost of living and regulating AI to retain these voters, as pollsters warn young people remain "up for grabs" and could shift right again in 2028 if promises go unfulfilled.