Fifty-six percent of U.S. adults say they have given "quite a lot" of thought to the 2026 midterm elections, the highest share Gallup has measured at this point in a midterm campaign, according to a poll published Oct. 29. The previous highs were 55% in 2010 and 54% in 2018.
Attention has climbed over decades
Gallup has asked the question in every midterm since 1958 except 1986. From 1958 to 1982, typically fewer than a third of adults said they had given the election quite a lot of thought, and the share has generally been above 40% since 1990. The difference between 2026 and the earlier highs is within the poll's margin of error of plus or minus 4 points, so this year is best read as tied with 2010 and 2018 rather than clearly above them.
Attention is higher among older and college-educated adults: 73% of those 65 and older have given the election quite a lot of thought, compared with 32% of those 18 to 29, and 70% of college graduates, compared with 38% of those with a high school education or less.
More plan to vote before Election Day
.jpg){kind=link}
Among registered voters, 43% plan to vote early, including 5% who say they already have, compared with 41% in 2022 and lower shares in other midterms since 2010. Fifty-one percent plan to vote on Election Day. Fifty-four percent of Democrats plan to vote early, compared with 38% of Republicans and 37% of independents.
Enthusiasm differs by party
.jpg){kind=link}
Fifty-six percent of registered voters say they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting, the second-highest in Gallup's midterm readings after 69% in 2018. Fifty-eight percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents say so, compared with 48% of Republicans and Republican leaners. Sixty-one percent of adults are confident votes will be accurately cast and counted.
What the data can't tell us
Attention and enthusiasm in a poll do not predict turnout or results, and Gallup's comparison years are the midterms it cites, not every midterm. The 2026 survey was conducted by telephone Oct. 1 to 19, before the final weeks of campaigning.
How we counted: all figures are from Gallup, "Voter Engagement High Ahead of Midterms," Oct. 29, 2026, based on telephone interviews Oct. 1–19, 2026, with 1,200 U.S. adults, including 1,057 registered voters; the margin of error is ±4 points for each group at the 95% confidence level. Source: Gallup, Oct. 29, 2026.