What matters to Gen Z voters? 4 issues that could shape 2026 midterms

WASHINGTON, DC: Gen Z voters are heading into the 2026 US midterm elections with concerns that go beyond party politics. From the rising cost of living and housing affordability to artificial intelligence, government corruption and climate change, several issues could influence how young Americans approach the ballot box.

A new Harvard Youth Poll released on October 22 found that 94% of young likely voters consider the cost of living important to their midterm vote, while 90% said the same about government corruption. But these are not the only concerns shaping their political choices. Here are four major areas offering a closer look at what Gen Z voters want from political leaders in 2026 midterms.

The four issues to know:

• Cost of living, inflation and housing

• Jobs, student debt and artificial intelligence

• Government corruption and democracy

• Climate change and personal rights

Cost of living and housing: Is affordability the biggest concern for Gen Z voters?

The rising cost of living appears to be one of the biggest concerns for young Americans heading into the 2026 midterms. For Gen Z, financial security is closely linked to questions about housing, healthcare, everyday expenses and the ability to become independent.

The latest Harvard Youth Poll, conducted between September 30 and October 7 among 2,024 Americans aged 18 to 29, found that affordability was the leading issue for young voters.

Among registered young voters who said they had at least a 50-50 chance of voting, 91% considered the cost of living important to their decision. The figure rose to 94% among those who said they would definitely vote. More than two-thirds of likely young voters, or 70%, described it as extremely important.

A separate survey by Tufts University's Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), conducted with When We All Vote, also highlighted the importance of economic concerns.

The national survey included 5,549 Americans aged 18 to 29, with 65% identifying the cost of living and inflation as one of their leading issues. Healthcare and housing costs also featured among Gen Z's biggest concerns.

The UCLA Williams Institute's October 2026 report offered another look at these priorities. Its survey found that 87% of Gen Z respondents considered both rising prices and inflation and the rising cost of housing an urgent crisis or serious issue. The findings were high across LGBT and non-LGBT respondents.

This makes affordability a useful starting point for understanding the younger electorate. The question is not just whether young Americans are concerned about prices, but whether they believe political leaders have realistic plans to address housing costs, healthcare expenses and their financial struggles.

For young adults trying to establish themselves, these concerns can also influence bigger decisions about where to live, what jobs to pursue and when they can afford major life milestones.

Jobs, student debt and AI: Is Gen Z worried about its financial future?

For Gen Z, financial concerns do not end with the cost of living. Job security, student debt and the changing nature of work are also part of the conversation, particularly for young adults entering the workforce or trying to build stable careers.

Artificial intelligence has added another dimension to these concerns. While AI tools are becoming part of everyday work and education, young people are also questioning what the technology could mean for entry-level jobs and future employment opportunities.

Harvard's Fall 2026 Youth Poll found that 64% of young Americans viewed AI replacing jobs as a serious threat to their financial security. The concern crossed political lines, with 76% of young Democrats and 61% of both young Republicans and independents expressing the same worry.

This is particularly relevant for Gen Z, as many are still building their careers and considering what employment opportunities will look like in the coming years. The story can explore whether they expect AI to create new opportunities or make it harder for young workers to enter certain industries.

Student debt and education costs are another part of this discussion. For voters who are dealing with education-related expenses, the cost of pursuing a degree can influence how they think about financial independence. The question is whether candidates are addressing these concerns in ways that young voters find convincing.

There is also an interesting generational comparison here. Deloitte's 2026 Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey found that the cost of living remains the top concern for both generations. More than half of Gen Z respondents (55%) and 52% of millennials said they had delayed major life decisions, including further education, starting a family or launching a business, because of financial pressure.

The survey also found that 69% of Gen Z respondents and 64% of millennials said housing availability or affordability directly affected their career decisions and where they could work. While both generations share financial concerns, their individual experiences may differ. The Deloitte findings suggest that affordability is not exclusive to Gen Z, even as the younger group faces questions about entering the job market and establishing financial independence.

Government corruption and democracy: Has Gen Z lost trust in political leaders?

Financial pressures may be a leading concern, but trust in government is another issue that could influence Gen Z's choices in the 2026 midterms.

The latest Harvard Youth Poll found that 88% of registered young voters who had at least a 50-50 chance of voting considered government corruption important to their decision. Among likely voters, the figure increased to 90%, with 61% calling corruption extremely important.

The findings suggest that political accountability is an important part of the conversation for young Americans. Beyond individual politicians and party differences, voters may also be concerned about how government decisions are made, whether elected officials are held responsible for their actions and whether their interests are being represented.

CIRCLE's survey also points to a wider sense of political dissatisfaction. About 62% of respondents said they believed the country was heading in the wrong direction. At the same time, 43% said they did not identify with either major political party, suggesting that a sizeable share of Gen Z does not see itself represented by the traditional two-party system.

Yale's Spring 2026 Youth Poll provides another useful comparison. When respondents were asked to choose between pairs of issues from a list of 30, cost of living and affordability was selected most frequently, followed by healthcare and democracy, both at 75%, and government corruption at 72%. Voters aged 18 to 34 shared these four priorities, with housing also featuring prominently.

The findings also raise an important question about political participation. CIRCLE found that while almost half of young respondents were unsure whether their vote mattered or did not believe it made a difference, 89% said they were willing to vote when asked about different forms of political participation.

Climate change and personal rights: Which issues matter beyond the economy?

While affordability and political accountability feature prominently in youth surveys, climate change and personal rights remain important parts of the discussion. These issues also highlight how different Gen Z voters can have different priorities even within the same generation.

The UCLA Williams Institute's October 2026 report found noticeable differences between LGBT and non-LGBT Gen Z respondents on several social and political issues. About 88.1% of LGBT respondents considered climate change an urgent crisis or serious issue, compared with 69.3% of non-LGBT respondents.

The survey also found differences over policies protecting LGBT people from discrimination. While 84.6% of LGBT Gen Z respondents considered such protections an urgent or serious issue, 49.5% of non-LGBT respondents said the same. Overall, 55.4% of respondents viewed the issue as urgent or serious.

These findings show why it is important not to treat Gen Z as one group with identical political priorities. Even when young Americans share economic concerns, their views on climate change, immigration enforcement and personal rights can differ.

Another finding from the Williams Institute report offers an interesting insight into what young voters look for in candidates. Around 67.4% of respondents said they were more likely to vote for a candidate who shared their values. This was more influential than a candidate simply being under the age of 40, a political outsider or someone who shared their demographic background.

That suggests the appeal of a candidate may depend less on their age and more on whether young voters believe their positions reflect their own priorities.

As for Gen Z, climate change and personal rights may not always rank above financial concerns, but they can still influence how candidates are judged. The important question is whether these policies become deciding factors when voters compare candidates and consider what kind of future they want.