Local elections matter, and their lessons can help prepare us for 2026
The November 2025 elections shaped communities across the country and offered important lessons as we look ahead to the 2026 midterms.
At Democracy Works, we analyzed turnout among TurboVote users who participated in local and state elections in 2025 to better understand what drives turnout in lower-profile election years. While every election is different, the data reveals several patterns about voter engagement and turnout.
Small TurboVote Steps Lead to the Ballot Box
One clear finding from our analysis is that voters who actively used TurboVote turned out at a higher rate than those who did not.
Users who checked their registration status, viewed their Election Guide, reviewed a sample ballot, or took other actions on TurboVote voted at a higher rate than users who remained inactive throughout the election cycle.
The relationship was consistent: the more actions a user took, the more likely they were to cast a ballot. Users who took at least two voting actions in TurboVote turned out at more than double the rate of users who did not take action.
Why this matters
Voting often depends on having the right information at the right time. Taking practical steps, such as confirming registration or reviewing what’s on the ballot, can help voters follow through.
TurboVote brings those steps together into a single experience, providing voters the information and reminders they need to confidently navigate the process. Our findings reinforce the value of making those tools easy to access when voters need them.
The 2026 midterms will bring more races, more voters, and more decisions for people to navigate. Giving voters opportunities to take simple actions can help them build a plan for Election Day.
Get-Out-The-Vote Efforts Make a Difference
One of the most encouraging findings was the strong voter turnout among new TurboVote users.
Users who signed up for TurboVote within the six months before their election voted at a rate of 52.9%. In an odd-year election cycle, when voter participation is often in the teens, that level of turnout is remarkable.
These results highlight the impact of the organizations, campuses, employers, and community groups that work to connect voters with election information on TurboVote. New TurboVote signups represent voters who were reached intentionally through registration drives, voter education campaigns, and trusted outreach from community partners, family members, and friends.
We also found that outreach is most effective when it doesn’t end at signup. Users who engaged with TurboVote during the final two weeks before Election Day were more than twice as likely to vote as users who did not engage at all. Timely reminders and accessible information helped keep voters connected as Election Day approached.
Why this matters
Organizations that help voters stay engaged throughout the election cycle increase voter participation.
The strong turnout among TurboVote newcomers demonstrates the value of those efforts. When users can access reliable election information and receive reminders at key moments, they are more likely to follow through and vote.
Work to engage voters for the midterms is already underway. Organizations can use the months ahead to connect their communities with trusted guidance, then keep them informed through registration deadlines, early voting, and Election Day.
Young Voters Showed Up
Young voters are often described as a difficult-to-reach group, especially in lower-profile election years. Our analysis told a more encouraging story in 2025.
Among TurboVote users, voters aged 18-24 turned out at a higher rate than those aged 25-34, and at an almost identical rate to users aged 35-54. In a year with less media attention than a federal cycle, younger voters remained engaged.
This finding does not explain every reason young voters chose to vote, but it does show that younger voters should not be treated as an afterthought in state and local elections. They are an important audience for voter outreach, especially when elections and voting rules can vary widely from one community to another.
Why this matters
The 2026 midterms will bring national attention, competitive races, and consequential decisions at every level of government. Engaging young voters early, through the institutions, communities, and channels they already trust, will be essential.
For campuses, employers, and community organizations, the opportunity is to make voting easier to navigate from the start of a voter journey: help people register, understand what’s at stake on their ballot, and stay connected through key deadlines and Election Day.
Looking Ahead
The lessons from 2025 point to an important opportunity for the 2026 midterms: voter participation is built through sustained access to trusted information, practical tools, and support at key points in the election cycle.
For funders, that means investing not only in Election Day mobilization, but also in the infrastructure that helps voters prepare—well before they cast a ballot. From registration checks and personalized Election Guides to ballot information and timely reminders, these tools help voters move from intention to action.
As the 2026 midterms approach, Democracy Works will continue working with partners to make reliable election information easier for voters nationwide to access. Support for TurboVote ensures that more voters can understand their options, make a plan, and participate in the elections that shape their communities.
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