Older Voters Shape 2026 Midterm Results

Voters aged 50 and older made up 60% of the 2026 midterm electorate, according to NORC election poll data.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Senior Health

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Should Congress work to strengthen Social Security without cutting earned benefits?

Voters aged 50 and older made up 60% of the 2026 midterm electorate, according to NORC election poll data. AARP urged the 120th Congress to strengthen Social Security without cutting benefits.

Why it matters

Older voters prioritized affordability, financial security, Social Security and Medicare, and incoming lawmakers will shape policy on those issues. Their turnout and voting patterns underscore how much these programs influence electoral outcomes.

NORC election poll data shows voters 50 and older made up 60% of the 2026 midterm electorate, and 90% of older voters called protecting Social Security from cuts very or extremely important. The poll does not compare these shares with earlier midterms, and it does not show how lawmakers will respond.

The players

AARP

AARP is a nonprofit advocacy organization focused on issues affecting Americans aged 50 and older, including Social Security and Medicare.

NORC

NORC is a research organization affiliated with the University of Chicago that conducts national public opinion and election polling.

The details

Older women broke for Democrats by 9 points, while Republicans won older men by 5 points, and the economy was the top issue for older voters. Grocery costs (29%), health care and prescription drugs (24%) and gas costs (21%) were cited as important in determining votes.

November 3, 2026: Midterm election, when voters 50 and older made up 60% of the electorate.
November 5, 2026: AARP issued a statement on older voter turnout.
120th Congress: Lawmakers are expected to address challenges facing older Americans.

Big Picture

NORC's election polling tracks which age groups shape midterm outcomes, and the 2026 finding that voters 50 and older made up 60% of the electorate places older voters at the center of the Social Security and Medicare debate. The results show these programs remain a decisive issue for the group most likely to turn out.

Older voters' focus on grocery, gas and prescription costs shows how these expenses shape daily budgets for many households. Readers aged 50 and older may see incoming lawmakers' decisions on Social Security, Medicare and caregiver support directly affect their finances.

The takeaway

Older voters are a large and motivated share of the electorate, and their concerns about Social Security, Medicare and everyday costs are likely to remain central to policy debates. Readers following these issues can watch how the 120th Congress responds to these priorities.