Poll Reveals Young Voters Reject Trump, Favor Democrats in Midterms

A new Yale youth poll conducted in March finds stark disapproval of President Donald Trump among younger voters. The survey also shows many in that cohort plan to back Democratic candidates in the November midterms.

Poll scope and methodology

The national survey sampled 3,429 registered voters. The youth subsample included 2,008 respondents aged 18 to 34.

The margin of error after weighting was ±1.4 percentage points for the full sample. The youth sample had a ±2.0 percentage point margin of error.

High disapproval among younger age groups

Disapproval of the president is higher among the youngest voters than the general electorate. Overall disapproval sits at 57% among voters 18 and older.

Among the youth subsample, 68% of 18- to 22-year-olds disapproved. The rates were 72% for 23- to 29-year-olds and 75% for 30- to 34-year-olds.

The poll also shows a recent decline in positive views of the president. Compared with surveys in spring and fall 2025, approval has slipped while disapproval has risen among voters under 35.

Shifts in disapproval over recent months

Since the Yale youth survey from October-November 2025, disapproval rose across the youth brackets. The increases were 4 points for 18-22, 7 points for 23-29, and 11 points for 30-34.

Compared to spring 2025 results, the poll indicates a five-point drop in approval and a corresponding five-point rise in disapproval.

Midterm preferences and party lean among young voters

Democrats lead the hypothetical midterm ballot by a narrow two-point margin overall. Young voters, however, show stronger Democratic leanings.

Intended midterm votes among the young were 52% Democratic for ages 18-22. For ages 23-29 the share was 58%, and for 30-34 it reached 62%.

Gender and age dynamics

Young women shifted markedly toward Democrats since fall 2025. Democratic support rose 17 points for 18-22 women and 17 points for 30-34 women. Women aged 23-29 moved 10 points.

Men aged 23-29 and 30-34 each shifted 14 points toward Democrats. Men aged 18-22 were the exception, with Democratic approval slipping by one point.

Early 2028 candidate preferences

The poll asked about potential 2028 choices. Among all Democratic voters, Kamala Harris and California Gov. Gavin Newsom were effectively tied at the top.

When limited to voters aged 18-34, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez led the list at 32%. Harris followed at 20%. Older voters, 65 and up, preferred Newsom at 28% and Pete Buttigieg at 19%.

On the Republican side, Vice President JD Vance drew the most support, at 43% among GOP respondents. Sen. Marco Rubio stood at 17%.

Republican enthusiasm for Vance varied by age. Support was 31% among GOP voters aged 18-34, 35% for ages 35-44, and above 46% for those 45 and older.

About 47% of Republican voters said they would back Trump in a GOP primary if he pursued another run deemed unconstitutional by critics.

What the numbers suggest

The poll reveals young voters reject Trump at much higher rates than older Americans. It also suggests younger voters could favor Democrats in midterms.

With the midterm elections approaching, these generational divides may shape party strategies and turnout efforts.

Report filed for Filmogaz.com based on the March Yale youth poll results.