Young Voter Turnout Lags in Washington Midterms
Voters aged 18-24 returned ballots at the lowest rate of any age group as of Nov. 3, according to state figures.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Civic Engagement
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As of 4:00 p.m. on Nov. 3, only 24% of Washington voters aged 18-24 had returned their ballots, the lowest share of any age block in the state's 2026 midterm elections. Ballots from the midterms continued to be counted on Nov. 4.
Why it matters
Young voters make up 9.61% of Washington's electorate, so a low turnout among them can shape the final result in close races. Gen-Z voters say rising housing and goods costs, job shortages, and social issues are reasons they are casting ballots.
Secretary of State figures show 24% of 18-24-year-old voters had returned ballots by 4:00 p.m. Nov. 3, compared with a 39.5% young-voter return rate in the 2022 midterms. Final youth turnout for 2026 has not been reported as ballots are still being counted.
The players
Washington Secretary of State
The state office that publishes ballot return data and oversees election administration in Washington.
Columbia Basin College
A community college in the Tri-Cities region whose students were interviewed about casting their first ballots.
The details
Many young people were seen voting in Benton County hours before polls closed, and students at Columbia Basin College said they were excited to cast their first ballots. Gen-Z voters cited rising costs for homes and everyday goods, job shortages, and social issues as reasons to vote.
Timeline
2022 midterm elections: young voter turnout reached 39.5%, the lowest of all groups.
Nov. 3, 2026, 4:00 p.m.: 24% of 18-24 voters had returned ballots.
Nov. 3, 2026, hours before polls closed: many young people were observed voting in Benton County.
Nov. 4, 2026: votes from the 2026 midterm elections continued to be counted.
Over the next couple of days: final ballots are expected to be tallied.
Political Context
Young voters returned ballots at 24% by 4:00 p.m. on Nov. 3, below the 39.5% youth turnout recorded in the 2022 midterms. Whether late ballots close that gap will determine if the 2026 youth share matches the earlier cycle.
Ballots in Washington's midterm elections are still being counted, so the final result will depend on late returns from young voters. Voters who have not yet returned their ballots need to do so for their choices to be counted in the tally.
The takeaway
Young voters cite housing costs, jobs, and social issues as reasons to vote, and their late ballots could change the turnout picture. Readers who want to follow the count can check Washington's Secretary of State election results.
What happens next
Final ballots from the 2026 midterm elections are expected to be tallied over the next couple of days, which will set the final youth turnout figure.
Further reading
Explore more civic engagement coverage to see how young voters are being reached in this cycle.
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