With the 2026 midterm elections quickly approaching, it’s time to start planning how you’re going to get your vote in. Whether you are an out-of-state student mailing your ballot to your home district, a student abroad-er currently living in a whole different country, or simply need to walk across campus to your designated polling place, every eligible voter has the ability (and, dare I say, responsibility) to make your voice heard.
However, it seems not everyone feels this way.
According to the Her Campus 2026 Election Survey of Gen Z women (mainly current college students and post-grads), 18% of respondents said they’re either not planning to vote or are unsure if they’re going to vote in the upcoming midterm elections this November.
To get to the bottom of what’s keeping Gen Z women away from the polls, Her Campus asked those who don’t plan to vote — or still don’t know whether they will — to share their reason, or, in many cases, multiple reasons. More than half of them (51%) said they don’t feel informed enough to make a decision. The second most-cited roadblock was that their schedules make it difficult to find time to vote (35% of respondents aligned with this answer). Other popular answers included not agreeing with the current political systems and structures in place (22%), not thinking the candidates represent their views (20%), and feeling like their vote won’t make a difference (18%).
If one or more of these obstacles to voting are resonating with you, don’t worry; they can all be overcome in time for the 2026 midterms so you can feel confident and empowered enough to cast your vote. Here are some responses to some of the most popular excuses Gen Zers are making for not voting.
“I’m Not Informed Enough to Make a Decision.”
The U.S. is in a perpetual election cycle, which means there are so many names to learn, policies to read, and dates to remember. But the internet is a beautiful thing, and so is social media. You can start simple, by looking up who the Congressional and Senate candidates in your state even are, see where they stand on key issues, and check out their digital footprint. Websites like Vote 411 and Rock the Vote can serve as a “one-stop-shop” for non-partisan election-related information and resources. The bottom line is that there is still plenty of time before the midterm elections to get informed, and — to be perfectly honest — anyone eligible to vote is more than capable of learning what they need to know in order to make an informed decisions. (The most important thing you should find out? Your state’s deadline to register to vote.)
“My Schedule Makes it Difficult to Find Time to Vote.”
As busy college students who may be in the midst of their own midterms season (aka exams) when the elections roll around, it can be hard to find time to vote. But all that means is you need to plan ahead. If you don’t see yourself able to get to a polling station on Election Day, you can vote by mail or send in an absentee ballot (just remember to check your state’s laws and deadlines in regard to these options). Or, if your state allows early voting, you can see what options you have available (in-person, by mail, or by drop box) and whether or not you need an accepted excuse, such as illness or work, since the rules vary by state.
“I Don’t Agree with the Current Political Systems and Structures in Place.”
It’s understandable to feel like the current U.S. political system doesn’t work for you, but choosing not to vote just means that system will continue without you and your input. To best change the structures you disagree with, working as a collective brings forth the most change. After all, as President Lyndon B. Johnson once said, “The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by human beings for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison people because they are different from others.” If you want to see change, you have to take the first step.
“I Don’t Think the Candidates Represent My Views.”
In a two-party system, it can be difficult to feel fully represented by a candidate, especially in a race that might whittle down to a question of, “who is the lesser of two evils?” However, abstaining from voting might mean that the “bigger evil” — whomever that may be in your eyes — wins and begins making decisions on your behalf. If certain causes matter to you — whether that’s climate change, reproductive rights, immigration, or any of the countless others — then you can find where your candidates stand on these issues and make your decision based on their stances. Then, be prepared to call your representatives and hold them accountable, so they become the best candidate for you.
“I Feel like My Vote Won’t Make a Difference.”
Midterm elections determine the composition of Congress. Point-blank, period. All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and one-third of the 100 U.S. Senate seats are up for a vote, which can completely change the composition of the legislative branch. This opportunity to rebalance power can have a major influence on what the president can do in office. Plus, your state’s ballot might include races for governor, state representatives, local offices, and state-specific measures that could all be decided by just a few votes. Measures affecting abortion access, public transportation, infrastructure, and so many other things might be on your ballot as well, and they all deserve your attention and your vote.
It’s almost time for the 2026 midterm elections, and Her Campus has teamed up with HeadCount to make sure you’re ready to vote. Visit HeadCount.org/Her-Campus to register to vote, check your registration status, learn about upcoming elections, and more.