The 2026 Midterms, Explained: Everything Young Voters Need to Know

12/30/2025

Are you angry with what is going on right now? Is there something you want to see differently in our current government?

Educating yourself now on the midterm elections upcoming in 2026 is where to start. In this article, we are going to answer some questions you may be asking yourself. We want to preface that it is OKAY to not know all of the answers, we are here to help.

What are the Midterm Elections?

Midterm elections occur every two years, purposefully in the middle of the president's term [1]. In 2026, these elections will occur halfway through President Trump's term.

To break it down simply, we are voting for:

  • All 435 members of the House of Representatives

  • About one-third of the Senate (approximately 33-34 seats)

  • State governors (if you are in one of the 36 states that is upcoming for governor)

  • Various state and local officials

What is the significance in the midterm elections?

Midterm elections are important because they give "YOU, the voter, the opportunity to decide which party controls both the House of Representatives and the Senate" [1].

Historical pattern: In 20 of the last 22 midterm elections, the party NOT holding the White House gained seats—it's democracy's built-in course-correction mechanism [7]

Why are these elections important for STEM related policies?

These past two years, there has been a decline in stem funding and support. We're not here to tell you who to vote for—that's your decision. We're here to provide the facts about how STEM policy is being shaped, so you can make informed choices based on what matters to you.

Midterm elections can shift which party controls Congress, directly impacting science funding, research priorities, healthcare, medical autonomy, and evidence-based policymaking. The outcomes determine who chairs committees that oversee agencies like the NSF, NIH, EPA, and Department of Energy—affecting everything from climate research to biomedical innovation to healthcare.

Bottom line: Midterms are your chance to influence the lawmakers who decide STEM funding and policy for the next two years. Voting rules vary by state, so check your state's specific requirements before Election Day.

We want to reiterate that STEM to the Polls is non-partisan: 

We don't tell you who to vote for—Republican, Democrat, or Independent. We simply provide facts about how STEM policy is being shaped so YOU can make informed decisions based on your values and priorities.

In upcoming posts, we'll break down each of these topics in detail, showing what both parties are proposing and how different candidates approach these issues. Our goal is to give you the information you need to vote according to what matters to you.

We know what you might be wondering, because we wondered the same. How can my vote possibly affect this much?

Congress controls federal spending. Every dollar for NSF grants, NIH research, NASA missions, and STEM education must be approved by the House and Senate [1].

The Math That Matters:

Control comes down to razor-thin margins. Democrats need to flip just 3 House seats or 4 Senate seats to gain control [4]. Your district or state could literally be the deciding vote.

Why does this matter for STEM?

When different parties control the White House and Congress, they must negotiate and compromise. This prevents any single party from having unchecked power over STEM funding and policy. The majority party also controls which committees oversee agencies like NSF, NIH, EPA, and the Department of Energy—deciding which STEM bills even get voted on [1].

Recent Example: In 2022, Democrats passed the CHIPS and Science Act—a massive investment in semiconductor research and NSF funding [5]. In 2024, Republicans proposed billions in cuts to those same programs [2]. Elections have consequences.

Your Vote Matters More Than You Think:

  • Only 23% of young voters (18-29) voted in the 2022 midterms, compared to 66% of

  •  voters 65+ [3]

  • Several 2022 House races were decided by fewer than 1,000 votes [6]

  • Your district could be one of 60+ competitive races that determines control [6]

Politicians pay attention to who shows up. Right now, they're not prioritizing young people because young people aren't voting. Let's change that!

What You Can Do Right Now

1. Register to Vote

  • Check your registration status or register at vote.gov

  • Deadlines vary by state—don't wait until the last minute

  • Many states allow same-day registration, but confirm YOUR state's rules

2. Know Your Representatives

  • Find who represents you at congress.gov

  • Look up their voting record on STEM issues

  • See which committees they serve on

3. Mark Your Calendar

  • Primary elections: Vary by state throughout 2026

  • General Election Day: November 3, 2026

  • Set reminders for registration deadlines in your state

4. Stay Informed

  • Follow STEM to the Polls for candidate analysis and policy breakdowns

  • Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on 2026 races

  • Share this information with friends who care about STEM issues

Check Out Our Website

We have outline on our website everything you need to know to register to vote, how to check out the elections coming up in your area, etc. We will be adding more to our website and updating you all along the way! 

Want to Understand More?

We've already seen how government dysfunction directly impacts STEM. During the recent government shutdown, federal scientists went unpaid, research projects stalled, and grant applications sat in limbo.

Read our previous post: The Longest Shutdown in History Ends: Here's What It Means for STEM and Your Future

Coming soon: We'll break down what's currently happening with STEM funding in 2025, specific budget changes affecting students and researchers, and what different candidates are proposing for the future.

The Bottom Line

The 2026 midterms aren't just another election—they're a decision point for the future of STEM in America. Whether you care about climate science, medical research, AI development, or simply having opportunities to pursue a STEM career, your vote matters.

23% youth turnout in 2022 wasn't enough. Let's change that in 2026.

This is your future. Make your voice heard.


Works Cited

[1] "United States Congress elections, 2026." Ballotpedia.   https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_Congress_elections,_2026

[2] "White House Proposes Steep Cuts to Science and Education Funding." Association of American Universities (AAU). https://www.aau.edu/newsroom/leading-research-universities-report/white-house-proposes-steep-cuts-science-and-education 

[3] "2022 Election Center." CIRCLE, Tufts University. https://circle.tufts.edu/2022-election-center 

[4] "2026 United States House of Representatives elections." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections 

[5] "CHIPS and Science Act." Congress.gov. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4346 

[6] "Initial 2026 House race ratings show more Republicans in Toss-up seats." Roll Call. March 11, 2025. https://rollcall.com/2025/03/10/house-midterm-elections-race-ratings/

[7] Galston, William A. "What history tells us about the 2026 midterm elections." Brookings. August 28, 2025. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/what-history-tells-us-about-the-2026-midterm-elections/


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