The Democratic National Committee announced plans on Tuesday to launch a seven-figure voter registration initiative aimed at young, non-college voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, as Democrats look to regain ground lost with younger voters in recent cycles.
DNC Chair Ken Martin said the effort will focus on registering new voters, training organizers, and mobilizing young people who are not attending college, a demographic that has increasingly drifted toward Republicans, particularly young men.
"Everywhere I go, young people tell me they want to be involved, want their voices heard, and want leaders who actually show up for them when it counts," Martin said. "When I ran for chair, I made it clear that voter registration must once again be a top priority for the DNC."
Martin accused Republicans of attempting to suppress key voting blocs, including young voters and working-class Americans, while Democrats move to expand participation.
"And while Republicans are doing everything they can to silence young voters, voters of color, and working families, we're getting to work," he said. "Our answer is simple: We're going to register voters, train organizers, empower young people, and make sure they have the tools to shape their future."
The initiative follows the 2024 election, in which Democrats underperformed with younger voters than in previous cycles.
Exit polls and post-election analyses showed Republicans making notable gains among voters under 30, especially non-college-educated men, narrowing what had long been an advantage for Democrats. Concerns over the economy, the cost of living, and cultural issues contributed to the shift.
Democratic Party strategists have acknowledged that traditional campus-focused outreach failed to reach large segments of the youth electorate, particularly those in the workforce, trade schools, or outside formal education altogether.
The DNC said the new effort will prioritize on-the-ground organizing, peer-to-peer engagement, and targeted registration drives in battleground states as the party seeks to rebuild its coalition ahead of the midterms.
James Morley III ✉
James Morley III is a writer with more than two decades of experience in entertainment, travel, technology, and science and nature.
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