ICE, inflation and Trump: gen Z readers share their concerns heading into the voting both

The 2026 US midterms are approaching against a backdrop of growing political uncertainty, with young voters increasingly mobilizing around concerns about the country’s future.Although nearly 50 million Americans aged 18 to 29 are eligible to vote in the midterms, almost half remain either unregistered or civically disengaged, according to US Census Bureau data.Gen Z readers across the country highlighted to the Guardian the issues shaping their views ahead of the election. Among their biggest concerns were the rising cost of living, federal immigration policies, the climate crisis, election interference and the rollback of civil rights.For Tyler, a 24-year-old working at a community church in Richfield, Minnesota, “ICE, inflation and worries about [Donald] Trump’s military force have been … huge factor[s] in voting this year.”“I like going to the grocery store but I don’t like seeing the price increase amid this unpopular and illegal war,” Tyler said, adding: “​​Fascism is taking hold and I want there to be some semblance of accountability, and I want to make sure that we actually have a real opposition party that we’re not seeing at the moment, aside from some candidates.”Students listen as Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Crowley speaks at the University of Wisconsin on 20 October 2026 in Madison. Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty ImagesHowever, even a Democratic victory would not necessarily ease concerns about election integrity, with Tyler worrying that “there will be some trickery and subversion of results or another version of January 6”.Charlie, a 22-year-old library worker in Ohio, pointed to healthcare and affordability as the most important issues shaping their vote.“Advocating against universal healthcare indicates, to me, a deep disregard for the actual wellbeing of the American people. Also, the wealth disparity in the US is astronomical, so advocating for a greater tax on the ultra-wealthy is important to me as well. People who have to work to survive are doing so poorly right now, all I want is to see life become affordable again,” Charlie said.For a 25-year-old maintenance worker in Connecticut, the financial pressures of everyday life can also make civic participation difficult.“I do want to vote, but that depends on how accessible it is. If I have the time and energy I go out and vote. I do work a lot. I have a lot of bills to pay (car, car insurance, rent, utilities, student loans, medical bills). It is hard to find time to do just about anything,” they said.They also expressed frustration with the candidates on offer, saying that a lack of confidence in either party could make deciding how to vote difficult.“The problem is I am worried that if I vote, I will vote wrong because I don’t really trust any of the people up for office … I don’t want to vote for a Republican, but I also don’t want to vote for [Connecticut governor Ned] Lamont because his track record of doing what he said he would (even trying) is not very good and he has put more money into corporate pockets than into the working class,” they said.“I am concerned that any meaningfully good legislation will have bullcrap logrolled into it for things that our communities don’t want. I also worry that the almighty American dollar will blind every politician in the race and none of them will have actual integrity,” they added.Emily, a 28-year-old living in central Illinois, identified artificial intelligence, Israel’s war on Gaza and ICE as among the biggest concerns shaping the political landscape.“Our refusal to acknowledge the cruelty and absurdity of this administration has normalized it into our culture, if it wasn’t there already. Any attempt to criticize it is shot down with claims of hysteria or wokeness. Our … participation in this modern propaganda will have lasting impacts. I am deeply concerned how the world looks at us, and how we will look back at ourselves,” Emily said.Looking ahead to the election, Emily said the hope is to see “any politician that looks like they actually have a backbone and won’t just tweet that someone should do something about this”.Emily from central Illinois. Photograph: Courtesy of EmilyThe climate crisis and immigration enforcement are also shaping how young voters view the election.Matthew Doutt, a 26-year-old accountant in Knoxville, Tennessee, said: “This administration has done deep damages to the guardrails meant to defend against climate change, and we need someone – anyone – to get us back on track … Unfortunately, with me being in a conservative state that’s been heavily gerrymandered, no one stands out in my state in a positive way.”He also raised concerns about the potential presence of federal immigration agents at polling locations.“Tennessee is one of several states that has partnered with ICE for local enforcement. I’m expecting to see ICE at polling locations to supposedly prevent against undocumented immigrants [from] voting but I expect it to be more about intimidating liberals,” Doutt said.Niamh Catterall from Texas. Photograph: Courtesy of Niamh CatterallFor Niamh Catterall, an 18-year-old university student from Texas currently studying in Ireland, the election will mark her first time voting. She plans to cast her ballot by mail, with the war, cost of living, protections for minorities and immigrants, and the separation of church and state among her main concerns.“I am hopeful of a break from party politics and a renewed focus on how a candidate can help a society or individual. In the case of many of the candidates who I support, such as [Gina] Hinojosa or [James] Talarico, their platforms go beyond experience or big picture, federal politics like being aligned with Trump and actually focus on what groups within the state need, whether that is healthcare or cost of living,” Catterall said.For Nathan, a 21-year-old computer science student in Texas, LGBTQ+ rights and datacenter expansions are key issues amid the performances of Democratic candidates in the state.“It really excites me to see how well Talarico is doing! The idea of a blue Texas is mind-blowing to me,” Nathan said, adding: “I know that Democratic candidates in southern states almost always lose. I also really wish that more people my age voted.”However, for Scott, a 29-year-old software engineer in Washington who has already voted, concerns about the future span both sides of the political aisle.“I’m extremely concerned with the lack of leadership from both parties, but especially with the imminent harm from the Republican party, and Trump in particular. This level of corruption is unprecedented and unacceptable. Although my state is not competitive on the national stage, I felt it was at least something I could do,” Scott said.A man at a Fighting for Toledo election rally on 29 October 2026 in Ohio. Photograph: Michael M Santiago/Getty ImagesHe also described a growing sense of economic and political uncertainty among young Americans, alongside frustration with what he sees as a lack of a compelling vision from Democrats.“My career went from a sure thing to unknown in less than 10 years. I, and many others, especially my age, are not optimistic for the future … I’m emotionally raw, and very tired. My biggest concern is that Democrats won’t rally behind a unifying coherent vision for the future that we can get excited about. I’ve literally heard Democrats say we need a vision for years. They need to get one now … It doesn’t need to be perfect, and it’s OK if there’s unknowns, but it needs to be something that the vast majority of Americans can rally behind,” he added.Similar concerns about the prospect of Democratic underperformance were raised by Connor Long, a 29-year-old remote sales representative in Orlando, Florida.Long said he was “excited to see how this election is shaping up but am leery of the data we are seeing.”Citing polling errors and election certification issues as his top two main concerns, Long said: “We’ve seen Republicans try this before and with complete control of Congress I am concerned of other attempts they could make. Third, I am concerned that if Democrats do take the House and Senate, that they will underdeliver. I am realistic about a Democratic Congress under Trump and the gridlock that will ensue, but I fear that if not enough is done, they will not be given the chance to make the major systemic changes most Americans are looking for.”